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.
“This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.”
James 1:19 NAS
Laura, Englewood. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? James 2:14 NET
Lisa
Hendersonville, TN
He answered, ” Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27. NIV
Mary Tomaselli
Humble, Tx.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1: 1-2 NIV
Cindy Mohr, Marion, IL
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Katie Davila, Tomball, TX
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)
For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.
Psalm 51:3, HCSB
Susan, Norfolk, VA. Are not they the ones that blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? James2:7 ESV
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 receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 ESV
Laura of Kenly, NC:
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19 NIV
Heather McKinstry ~ Greendale, WI
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. James 1:5-8 MSG
Diane, Longmont, CO
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV
Lillian Richardson, Howey in the Hills, FL
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Terra Haisley, Albany, Indiana: “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 HCSB
Joy in Iowa~ But whatever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God-the free life!- even out of the corner of his eye and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. Anyone who sets herself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. James 1:25-26 (The Message)
Christie, Ocean NJ. Romans 8:31-32 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Susan,Cartersville, GA “My soul wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.” Psalm 62:5-6 NKJV
Gale. Ocean Springs, Mississippi
And so you become a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia
1 Thessalonians 1:7 (NIV)
Rita, Splendora, Texas
Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths,
Lead me in your truth and teach me
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5. NKJV
Ann, West Chester, OH Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. Hebrews 4:16 HCSB
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. (Proverbs 4:7 ESV)
Auburn, AL
Beth, London, ON
Romans 8:6 (ESV): “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Leanette, Atlanta
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16 NIV
Christy from Holland, MI
“I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 NIV
Catherine, Centreville, VA.
“for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.”
Psalm 37:2 (NIV)
Brandy Trahan, Port Neches, TX
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. (Ephesians 4:28 NIV)
Kimberley , Seattle, Wa
” Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22 (NIV)
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX.
In my alarm I said,” I am cut off from your sight.” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Psalm 31:22.
NIV84
Jennifer – Milford, OH
“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” Hebrews 10:35 (ESV)
Veronica -Atlanta, georgia
proverbs 4:25 Let your eye’s look straight ahead,fix your gaze directly before you. living bible
PSA 90:14 NLT
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
Jen Ferguson, Cedar Park, TX
“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” John 5:24, NLT
Kris, Huntington, IN
Psalm 46:10a
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ ” (NIV)
Jennifer, Chattanooga, TN
I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.
Hosea 2:19 NIV
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Psalm 28:7 NIV
Kelly Merrill
Menomonie, Wisconsin
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands! Psalm 90:17 ESV
Carrie Hammons – Arlington, TX – “The Lord your God is in your midst, a might one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Pam, Sulphur, LA
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 NIV
Carol ~ Webb City, MO.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 (NIV)
Melody West Ringgold GA “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Psalm 28:7
Michele, Columbiana, AL
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation
is from HIM.” Psalm 62:5 NKJV
Carolyn West Ringgold GA “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Psalms 55:22 ESV
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY, “And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. (Isaiah 32:17, AMP
Jennifer, Harrisburg, PA: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 ESV)
Erin, Joplin, MO
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongueskeep themselves from calamity.”
Proverbs 21:23, NIV
J.J. Molstad, arlington, WA
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
-Colossians 3:5-6
Megan Allen – Hillsboro, OH
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Frances, Orange,Tx
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 106:1 NIV
Tasha
Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.
Destiny
Exodus 14:14
The Lord himself will fight for you.