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.
Sallie Russ, Greenwood, SC
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘ Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:4 NASB
Vanessa from Victoria, TX
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13 NIV)
Dolores Hall Longview, Tx
16 She considers a field and buys it, from her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She grids 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
Debra, Tillman, Zachary , LA: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.” Psalm 33:18 NKJV
Angela; Monroe, GA
He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:10 NIV)
Jenny- Shelby Township, MI
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
Meredith – Virginia Beach,VA
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)
Tshaka; Overijse, Belgium; Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.
1 Timothy 4:14 NLT
Laurel Montealegre White Pigeon, MI
“In the morning,O Lord,You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” Psalm 5:3 NASB
Annette, Bonaire GA
“Romans 6:6 NKJV
“knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”
This is such a great verse! Praying God writes this on your heart & mind as a permanent reminder of His love for you.
Keri Lynn Smith, Macon, Ga
“How kind the Lord is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours.” Psalm 116:5 NLT
Robyn Howe Mandeville, LA
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 ESV
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
“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.”
Ashley Reed, Cedar Park, TX – “If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus.” ~ Phil. 2: 1-5 (HCSB)
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan – “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love” Eph. 3:17 (NIV)
Clearwater, FL
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:4. NIV
Kerry ,Durham NC.
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 KJV The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Angie Wilt, Kansas City, Missouri. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 ESV
Robin Elizabethtown, KY
1 Corinthians 6:15, 19-20 NIV
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 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.
Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. Psalm 91:14 NIV
Carol Stainbrook, Kimberling City, MO
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Kristie Terpstra, Montgomery, TX:
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him. Psalm 128:1 NIV
Lynda S., Brockville, Ontario, Canada,
Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. (Psalm 17:7 NIV)
Cherri, Smyrna,GA: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Susan Paine, Hillsboro, KS
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” Philippines 3:13 NIV
Look to the Lord and his strength;seek his face always. Psalm 105:4
Miriam – Columbia, SC
He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
Psalm 103:7
Heidi Cahill, DeLand, FL:
“And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;” 2 Peter 1:6
Teri, Kalamazoo, MI
[Luk 10:20 NKJV] “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
“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
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 [ESV]
Stephanie A Ft Worth TX “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult” Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Diane, Wichita, KS
Phil. 4:8 “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.”
Jan @ Kansas
“I thank my God always making mention of you in my prayers.” Philemon 1:4 NASB
Lynn P, Fairview, OK “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and than him for all he has done.” ~Phil. 4:6 (NLT)
Pattie, Holland MI
Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power. Psalm 106:8 NLT
Jennifer Watson, Ruston, LA
Ephesians 5:1-2a (NASB): Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love.
Carol, Sewickley, PA
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always,; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is tesching, let him teach.
Romans 23;7
NIV
Barbara Smith-San Antonio
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 (NIV)
Felicia, Fort Pierce FL
Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 HCSB
Judy Coles, Orangeville, ON
Ex 34:6 NIV. “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
Psalm 32:7
“You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah”
Learning in Hebrew:
אַתָּה סֵתֶר לִי מִצַּר תִּצְּרֵנִי רָנֵּי פַלֵּט תְּסֹובְבֵנִי סֶֽלָה׃
Elaine ~ Powder Springs, GA ~ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
Lauralee Courtney
Austin, TX
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Ephesians 3:16-17a NIV
Amy Andrews, Edmond, OK
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, May have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
San Bernardino Ca.
Blessed be the god and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in christ.
esph 1:3 kjv.
Carin Sease, Lexington ,SC
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Patti P, Berkeley Heights, NJ “Cast all your anxiety upon him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Gale Fox
Montgomery TX
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 11:35-36 (NIV)