Hello, Siestas! My name is Diane Vaccaro, and I live in Fresno, CA. I’m a pastor’s wife and a mom of 3. I’m honored to share my verse today in a more formal way than usual. Often in our family we talk about how reflecting on scripture is paramount for transforming our hearts. God’s living Word can do more than we could ever imagine if we only give it time to seep into our thoughts and heart for a moment or two… or ten. It’s in those moments of reflection that I’m open and available to consider how the verse applies to my own life and heart. A quick read often leaves me with a short memory of what I’ve read, and a missed opportunity for revelation of who God is and how he loves. Memorization isn’t the goal, but a tool to continue to mediate on the Word, wherever I am, and ponder it, repeating it in my mind and mouth so that it becomes part of me.
Here’s my verse:
Diane – Fresno, CA
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
What I love about this verse is that it brings together God’s attributes as a mighty warrior and as one who delights, even to the point of singing over me. Strength and tenderness. He is a God that can take on my enemies without neglecting the tender and vulnerable places of my heart. And I’ve got an enemy…I don’t know about human ones, but I’m confident that The Enemy is always on the hunt. It is part of being a believer. It’s part of my life in ministry.
As I reflect on this verse I wonder where I’m trying to be the warrior instead of letting God do the fighting. I wonder if I fight fights that aren’t mine, neglecting the ones God has put before me for victory if I’d only fight.
And I wonder if I’ve become so distracted that I miss the singing. Has God been singing over me a melody so sweet while I’ve been straining to hear the world’s approval? I really want to hear the song of God. The world’s song pales in comparison.
One day I was alone in my car and not listening to music (both are seldom). I was praying and pleading and at one point simply asked God, “Do you delight in me?” This verse was pulled from somewhere in my memory as if to say, “Yes, I delight in you. You bring me great joy. I’m singing over you.”
Mighty God, my prayer is that you would set my feet in the direction of my battles, that I would fight with courage and bravery, knowing that you will supply all I need. Show me when I try to fight battles meant for you. I want to duck when your sword comes crashing through, bowing to your will and power. Quiet my heart and soul that I would hear you – hear your direction and your joyful singing over me. I want your song to be the soundtrack of my days.
My prayer is that you, Siesta, will experience the Mighty Warrior and the songs of delight that he sings over you today.
Natalie Dawes, Calgary, AB, Canada
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)
Charlotte, Seymour, Texas “…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:17 ESV
Kelli Hall ~ Sherwood, Oregon
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you support him a lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. Psalm 16:5-6 NASB
Karen H. Conway AR
Christy, St. Clements, Ontario
“They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23 NIV
Jan, Louisville, KY
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2 NIV)
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4: 23 NLT
Teresa Maldonado, Austin, TX
2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
trying again…Lisa, Huntsville, AL:
Planted in the house of the LORD they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green — PS 93:13-14 NIV 84
*egg on face* typo. It’s Ps. 92:13 – 14. 🙂
Robin Wickman, Merriman, NE – The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Debbie W., Prattville, AL
I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me.
Psalm 13:6
NLT
“Therefore, if you have any encouragement in Christ,
if any comfort from His love,
If any common sharing in the Spirit,
If any tenderness and compassion,…”
Philippians 2:1 NIV
Linda Ft. Collins, CO
Lori K., Leander, TX
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34 NIV
Katrinna Durbin, Bossier City, LA, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and understanding.” Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
Stephanie Hilton, League City, TX
“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35 NIV
Psalm 145:5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.
Allison in Fort Worth:
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17:27 (ESV)
Teresa Wilson. Starkville, MS.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.
Psalm 91:2
How great are his signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Daniel 4:3 NIV
Joy Wylie from College Station, TX
Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 NASB
Julie – Lafayette, LA
In the same way let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 ESV
Mary, College Station, TX
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV))
Julia, Redmond, OR
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
2 Co. 12:9
But he said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Lorri Matthews, Phenix City, Al.
Galatians 5:16 NKJV
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Lisa, Abilene, TX
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. HEBREWS 13:8 (NIV)
Maureen Chabot, St. Clair Shores, MI “Take a good look at God’s work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation’s curves and angles to a plain straight line?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13 The Message).
Lyndsay herrin, Vidalia, Ga
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV)
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” –2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Hebrew 4:12 for the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword.
Lynn from Lucas Kansas. 1 Samuel 2:35 ESV I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
Micah 7:18 NIV
“Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”
Micah 7:18 NIV
Cathy, Russellville, AR
This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work, just as we told you before.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 (TLB)
Susan -Richmond,Tx
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: (Proverbs 31:28 NIV)
Kelly H. – Burns, TN – Num. 6:26 NIV
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
4-16-15 Pat Wagar Jekyll Island, GA
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalms 4:8 NLT
Rhonda Peterson, Fargo, ND
His word burns in my heart like a fire.
Jeremiah 20:9b NLT
Lisa Griffin, Lincoln City, OR:
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
John 20:15 (ESV)
Sherri Huff, Mechanicsville, VA
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14 NIV
Emily, St. Paul MN
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27, NIV
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2. NIV
Cris, New Lenox IL
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit wihtin me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Jessica Lance, Shelby, NC, “For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:20 NKJV
It is Romans 11:29…sorry! 😀
Wendy Karabensh
Vero Beach
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator if the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
~Isaiah 40:28
NIV
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ power may rest on me.
Alycia Johnson. Granada, MN
Isaiah 41:2
Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.
NIV
Joshua 18:3 NAS So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?
Jessica B, North Potomac, MD
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT
Angie Call; Belleville, IL; Ps. 18:2 CEV –
“You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where i am safe, my shielf, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter.”
Fairfield,Ca.
In Him we live and move and have or being. As some of your own poets have said “We are his offspring”
Acts 17:28 (NIV)