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.
Vicky, Winchester, Hampshire, England.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
Anne Boone, Chesterfield, MI Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others.” Ephesians 4:29. NIV
my mind and my body may grow weak but God is my strength he is all I need .Psalm 73:26
Olda, Huntsville, AL
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, Philippians 1:29 (ESV)
Jacqueline, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Psalm 16:8
Steeds houd ik de Heer voor ogen, met Hem aan mijn zijde wankel ik niet.
Evan Stratton, Charlotte NC
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Philippians 4:8 The Message
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore,as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loves us and have himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
Marcy, Eagle Bridge, NY
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 NIV
Lori Johnson Auburn, MA Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 16:5
carla van hemmen, Ede the Netherlands:
Zodat door uw geloof Christus kan gaan wonen in uw hart, en u gewordteld en gegrondvest blijft in de liefde. Eph. 3: 17
Deb Mott Bradenton Florida
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him; Lamentations 3:25 NIV
Kim Haines–Ashland,ME
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)
Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
When I trust in him, I will be filled with joy, peace, and hope!
Candie – Waterloo, Iowa
But you,O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
Tricia Dubbe, missionary wife in Germany
“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you being rooted and grounded in love” Ephesians 3:16, 17
Nancy in jayess, MS
Romans12:2 (ESV)
2 Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Linda Sommers, Xenia, Ohio
Ephesians 3:16English Standard Version (ESV)
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Sharla Robertson, Granbury, TX
For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. (Psalms 36:9 NLT)
Teresa – Roanoke, VA
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust. Psalm 103:11-14, HCSB
Amy, Miamisburg, OH
But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written,
“I believed, therefore I spoke”, we also believe, therefore we also speak.
2 Corinthians 4:13 NET
Dallas, GA
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Heb. 12:1 NIV
Barb, Medina, Ohio
The one who exhorts, in his exhortation;
the one who contributes, in generosity;
the one who leads, with zeal;
the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Rom 12:8 ESV
Lynn Bennett, Stowe, Vt.
I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strenghten you with power through His Holy Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Ep. 3, NIV
Holly Barrett, Crossnore NC
“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.”
Psalm 90:1-2 NLT
and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5 ESV
Palm Harbor,FL
Yet Oh Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8
Amy, Hobe Sound, FL “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1Cor. 13:7 ESV
Susan Peaslee Somerville Maine
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:18 KJV
Lisa B. Taylorsville NC. Colossians 1:9 KJV
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
Diana , Round Hill,VA. We don’t know what to do but our eyes are on you. 2 chronicles 20:12 NRSV
Linda Proffitt
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15 ESV
Christy Billingsley, Terry, MS
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for morning, more than watchmen wait for morning.
Psalm 130:5-6 NIV
Carole From Kingwood Romans 12:1New International Version (NIV)
A Living Sacrifice 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Mandy Daniel, LaGrange, GA
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 (NASB)
April Anstey, St. John’s, Newfoundland
So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded.
Hebrews 11:35 (ESV)
Walker, LA
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 NIV)
Jessica T, Sugar Land, Tx
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”
Mark 11:23 NIV
North East, PA “You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” John 15:16a (NIV)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies and thy right hand shall save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalms 138: 7-8 KJV
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 NIV
Lee from IN says; Psalm 91:7 ESV “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you.”
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3
Gen 28:15. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. NIV. Mary Lilburn GA
Robin Sandlin- Denver City, Tx —-Come unto me, all ye that labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly
in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt 11:28-30
Deut. 33:27
The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are his heavenly arms.
Tanya Smith from Kenosha Wisconsin
First of a PASSAGE 🙂
Mark 7:6-20 (Just doing 6-8 here)
New Living Translation second edition
Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ For you ignore God’s law and substitute you own tradition.”
Kathy from Bethlehem Pennsylvania
Ps. 105:4
Look to the Lord and His strength;
seek His face always. NIV
Marie Markward Van Wert, OH.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8 ESV
Dolores Hall Longview, Tx
16 She considers a field and buys it, from her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She gross herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good, Her lamp does not go out at night. Proverbs 31:16-18 NASB
Marla Ritter, Benton AR: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 NIV