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.
Robyn McDonald, Sale Creek, TN You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Psalms 119:114 NKJV
Tami G in Franklin, TN
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Belinda, Chesapeake, VA – “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 (NIV)
Ally Velderman, Memphis TN “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
Beth Coker Medford, OR. ‘that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man’. NASB
Sarah W. East Liberty, OH
…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 MEV
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:3 ESV
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named
Ephesians 3:15 ESV
Debbie
Portland, OR
Ex. 34:6 NIV. The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Proverbs 31:30 ESV
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 ESV
Sheri, Austin TX
Jude 24-25 ESV
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Rachelle, Cedar Park, TX: But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)
the tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences!
Proverbs 18:21 ESV
Pat Jones, Springfield, MO
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:17 ESV
Carla Seeley
Georgetown, TX
“Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18 (ESV)
Lake Forest, CA
Hebrews 10:35-36 “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may recieve what is promised.” NIV
Lily Green, Madison, AL
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Caren Augsburger, Canyonville, OR. “Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbable saying, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.'”
Zechariah 4:6 NASB
Tracy McGee, Creal Springs, IL
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 (NIV)
Missy
Humble, Texas
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:25 KJV
Mariposa Sivage, Albuquerque NM
So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised. Heb. 10:35-36 NIV
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Jennifer, Fort Worth
“A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Prov. 16:28, NKJV
Rene Sandifer, Overland Park, KS “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
Greenville, SC I am a little behind in my post. Here are my last 3 verses in my book. All are NIV
March 15th Ps 63:1 “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
April 1st James 3:17 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full or mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
April 15th John 7:37b &38 “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever, believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Megan M., St. Louis
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 ESV
Cathy Bailey, Laguna Beach
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Wendy Puckett from Mayfield, KY
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura,CA “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Heb 4:13 NIV
Lee Anne, Deerfield Beach, FL
“We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) NIV
Jan from Clinton, MS:
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;
and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:23 NASB
Becky Bell Westerville,Ohio
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Cassie Pattillo, Boiling Springs, SC “Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.” Psalm 63:3
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 49:41 NIV
Pat Tilson, Fort Worth TX: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Exodus 31:6)
For the word of The Lord is right and true. He is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 33:4 NIV
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
Psalm 46:1 (HCSB)
“God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.”
Connie McRae from London Ontario
Proverbs 7:3 Keep my teaching with you all the time;write it on your heart
Cheri VerMurlen, Bothell, WA
Owe nothing to anyone–except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
Romans 13:8 NLT
Susan from Fosston, MN
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Escondido, CA
“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)
Jenny Gann, Centerton, AR
2 Timothy 2:21 HCSB
So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in The Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice
Soozi–Lexington, KY. Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!” (Luke 8:48 MSG)
“…it is not for you to know times or dates which the Father has put in His own authority.” Acts 1:7 NIV
Fareen
Las Vegas, NV
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”
Psalm 51:10-12 NKJV
Pamela Paul, Wynne, AR
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 NIV
Amanda Drause nashville tn. Hear my cry, O God listen to my prayer. Psalm 61:1
Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.