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.
Debbie
Cannon Falls MN
“O Israel, (O Daughter), hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.
Psalm 130:7 NLT
Allison
Wilmington, NC
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”
~Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV)
Mary Fanara, Independence, MO
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet He did not open His mouth.
Like a lamb led to slaughter
and like a sheep silent before her shearers,
He did not open His mouth.
Isaiah 53:7 HCSB
Tracy-Aurora, CO
Romans 15:13=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. (NIV)
Stephanie and daughter Madison, Louisville, KY
continuing: Eph3:17 RSV
“and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you being rooted and grounded in love, “
Joy, Altadena, CA
“Everyone will know you as My followers if you demonstrate your love to others.”
John 13:35 the Voice
Leah Eller, San Antonio, TX
“that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power thorough His Spirit in your inner being”
Ephesians 3:16 ESV
Jana Troy, KS
Ephesians 4:15
“No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in
every way into Christ, who is the head.”
Dean, Barbourville, Ky
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:22 NIV
Janice Parent, Waynesburg, KY
He will have no fear of bad needs his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:7
Amy Villa, Auburn, WA
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:17 ESV
Amy Oesterreich, Crown Point, Indiana
“Seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone”.
1 Thess 4:11-12 HCSB
charity
Cardiff, Wales
Then you will know that I am the Lord, those who hope in me will not be disappointed.
Isaiah 49:23
God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life. Romans 8:28
Lindsey Diggs
Smyrna, TN
Zephaniah 3:17 (TLB)
“For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you. Is that a joyous choir I hear? No, it is the Lord himself exulting over you in happy song.”
Jan in Fulshear
Ps. 36:15 Message
But those who learn from their sufferings, God delivers from their sufferings.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)
Brigette Brock
Morehead,Ky
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Galatians 5:22-23
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Colossians 3:18,19 KJV. These 2 verses are short to memorize but difficult to put into practice. I’m needing God’s strength and encouragement to “submit” but realizing that this is to be done as unto the Lord!! With that in mind, it becomes a joy!!!
Annalee
Morehead, Ky
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23
Suzy – Smyrna, GA (Atlanta area)
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
Hosea 6:3 – NLT
Ashlyn Bowen, Pendergrass, GA “Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.” ps 96:1 Niv
Traci McNally, Evansdale, Iowa
Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.”
Luke 18:31 NIV
Ansley Bowen, Pendergrass, GA, “6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6, NIV
Sarah Kukshtel
Warner Robins, Ga
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Carla, Coweta. “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. ! Thess 5:16-18 NLT
Nancy- Yonges Island, SC
“For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall.”
2 Samuel 22: 29-30 NKJ
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)
Susan
Richmond VA
Lynn, Divide, CO
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6
Theresa Anderson, Grove, Oklahoma
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Lisa Hamilton, Kingsport, TN
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 NIV
Thank You, Father!!
Lori Benson, Paris, TX
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NASB)
Gay
Round Rock, Tx
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm 139:9-10. NIV
But just as he who has called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16 NIV Jenna Unruh, Kansas Ctiy
April 17,2015
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Karen, Rialto, CA. Jeremiah 17:7 NLT “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord & have made the Lord their hope & confidence.” Romans 8:38 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fear for today nor our worries about tomorrow & not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Jan Jensen, Waterloo, Iowa. “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
Anita, Miami, FL
Those who know your name trust in you, for you Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10,NIV)
Isaiah 30:21 “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.” NIV
Rhonda, Starkville,MS, As the Father lived Me, I also have loved you, abide in My love. John 15:9. NKJV
Juliana Lundberg
Livermore, CA
2 Samuel 10:12 NLT
Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.
“Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand.” I Samuel 17:45 AMPLIFIED
Toledo, Ohio
Psalm 91:15
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (AMP)
Nancy Israel, Jackson,MO.
He must become greater; I must become less. (TNIV)
Sally H., Ocala, FL.
“but 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 40:31 (NIV)
Mary Beth Nickerson, Lascassas, TN God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalms 46:1 NLT)
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NIV
Faye Waraksa, Franklin, TN
All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.
(John 1:3 HCSB)
Edelle Simmons, Long Beach, CA
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18 NIV
…Do not fear or be dismayed because of the great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15b
NASB
Marisa Green, Hightstown, NJ
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3 (NIV)