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.
Deb Dinnen, Springfield, Ohio
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:21 NIV)
Tina Lockhart
Gulfport, Ms
What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee. Psalm 56:3 NIV
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 HCSB
Brenda, Crosby, TX
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:16
NIV (New International Version)
Courtney Rohloff, Morris, MN. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8, NIV.
Sara Middleton, Kingsville, TX “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Ashley, West Monroe,LA.
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, (Ephesians 3:17 NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18New International Version (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
liz
gladstone or
Megan; Goodlettsville, TN
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
Lynell Horn, Kirbyville, TX
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
Jennifer, Rowlett, TX. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)
Bartlett, TN
But He knows where I’m going and when He tests me, I will come out as pure gold.
Job 23:10 NLT
Casey Middleton, College Station, TX
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV
Amanda – Corsicana, TX – “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!” Psalm 105:1-4 NIV84
Kim M. Burnett, Harrisburg, PA
Hebrews 12:11
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Kolette, Denbigh, ND “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.” Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV
Debra Morel, Houston, Texas
#7 – “Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.” Joel 1:3 (NIV)
#8 – “so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean” (NIV)
Mary Ellen in Laurel, MT
Zeph 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” NIV
Barb Duncan, Lakeland FL
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV
Katie Moran
Arlington TX
NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Carol, Pasadena, CA
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the gory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Deneen Horne, Jacksonvlle, Florida-
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” (Ephesians 3:16 NIV)
Casey, San Antonio, TX.
“I love You, O LORD, my strength.” Psalm 18:1 NIV
Kristetta, Pineville, LA
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. James 1:11 NIV84
So do not throw away your confidence:
it will be richly rewarded. Hebrews 10:35
Judy Gentry, Stigler, OK
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yurselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengence is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'” Romans 12:18-19 ESV
Job 19:25-27 NKJV
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Michone Stewart, Butte, MT
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thes. 5:16-18 NKJV
Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around with your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to this, take up the shield of faith with which to extinguish the arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:14, 15 (NIV)
Terri, Orange TX
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 RSV
“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
Punky Tolson, Dallas, TX “…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:17, ESV
Donna, Houston, TX
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV
Patti,Clemmons,NC
Isaiah 55:11. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. KJV
Melissa Teakell
Wichita, KS
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV84
Tonya,Searcy,AR
“Those who know my commands and obey them are the ones who love me, and my Father will love those who love me. I will love them and will show myself to them.”
John 14:21 NCV
Rachel
Columbus, OH
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. (
1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT
Julie Strock, Lakewood, CO
“The Lord is good to those depend on him,
who search for him.” Lamentations 3:25 NLT
Linda, Bartelso, IL. Ephesians 3:16+17 (NKJV) that He would grant you,according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inter man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Sumrall, MS
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8 ESV)
Jenni, Birmingham, AL
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.”
Psalm 103:1
KJV
Rita Martin, Prague, OK
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1, NIV
Kathy, Leamington, Ontario, Canada
“Be unceasing in prayer-praying perseveringly.”
1 Thess. 5:17 Amplified
Lori, Yukon, OK
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24 NKJV
Lisa Snyder in Montgomery, TX
Be filled with joy in the sight of the Lord your God. Be joyful in everything you do. Deuteronomy 12:18 NIrV
Leighann Holloway, Longview, TX
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. ” Ps. 28:7 NIV
Leslie Crawley from Flagstaff, AZ.
Zephaniah 3:17 “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (NLT)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Ephesians 1:3 NKJV
Kelly Copelan Starr,SC
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143:8 NIV)