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.
April Boone, NC
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28 NIV
Heather, Easley, SC: “The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.” (Psalm 103:6-7 NLT)
Jill Sanders, Leachville, AR
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”
~Ephesians 3:16
Ephesians 3:17 (NIV)
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,”
Yael Hernandez, New York, NY
Ephesians 3:16
that he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner man.
Thank you Jesus!
Karen, Lynnwood, Wa
“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15 ( NASB)
Pam Jackson, Blue Springs, MO “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love” Ephesians 3:17 ESV
LouAnne, Evans, CO
Luke 19:26 New Living Translation (NLT)
“‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Prov. 4:23 NIV
HELEN MAGANA, SAN BERNARDINO, CA
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.– Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Angie Shockney Lafayette, IN
Philippians 1:11 NIV
Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
Rosalye
Vicksburg
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Col. 1:17
NIV
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Love the LORD your God,
walk in all His ways,
obey His commands,
be faithful to Him,
and serve Him with all
your heart and all your soul.
Joshua 22:5b (NLT)
Brianna from Jonesboro, AR
“Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 HCSB
MAtthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of The Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you. ANd surely i am with you always even until end of age
Diane,
I love your verse and love your comments. That will be one of mine in the future! Since you posted this scripture I have been waking up with an awareness that He is singing over me. Oh! How I love Him!
Katera McMillan, Kentwood, LA
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:13,14 ESV
Miriam, Nottingham UK
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 (ESV)
Kari Ellis, Bloomington, MN: “His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NRSV
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” Ephesians 3:17-18 NIV
Nancy, Junction City, AR.
“Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations. You established the earth and it abides.” Psalm 119:89-90 NKJ
Andrea*B
Jefferson City, MO
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV)
Katelyn Kraft, Columbus, OH
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 NIV
Mary Wood, Fort Worth, TX
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Michelle B. McComb, MS
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:17 NIV)
Rebecca Moore Lake Mary, Fl
Psalm 121:1 NIV
I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?
Angela-Tempe AZ
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
2Thessalonians 3:16
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalm 91:3
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid
John 14:27. NIV
Rebecca Helena, AL
But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do god to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
Luke 6:27-28 NLT
Don’t worry about anything, instead; pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
Siabhon N. Richards, Phenix City, AL
“may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”
Ephesians 3:18
Shelley Meyer, Katy, TX
“The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:26 (ESV)
Carolyn Deevers, Dardenne Prairie, MO
Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)
Do not judge (MAKE YOUR OWN OPINIONS ABOUT), or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Karen – Nesbit, MS
Ephesians 3:17 (ESV)
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Lisa H, Bloomington, Indiana
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – but not from yourselves, it is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 NIV
This verse is precious to me as I was used for my Daddy’s funeral two weeks ago. He lived a life for the Lord and his works will certainly follow him. He left a wonderful legacy for our family and friends. What a blessing ❤️
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Marie, Kinard, FL
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Carol White, Vian, Oklahoma
but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Jeremiah 32:17 (NKJV) Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for you.
Samantha
Texarkana, AR
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, (Ephesians 2:19 NIV)
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion
So great is his unfailing love.
Lamentations 3:31-32 NIV
Marcy T. Euless, TX
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:15
Robin. Knoxville TN
The Lord your God is with you
The mighty warrior who saves.
In His love He will no longer rebuke you,
But will rejoice over you with singing.
Robyn, San Antonio
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Psalms 27:13 NASB
Gwyn of Haslet
And let us consider how we may spur one another on in love and good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24 (NIV84)
Joan Anderson, Dousman, WI
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…
Deuteronomy 11:18 NIV
Mickie, Arab, AL
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:3-4, NIV
Charlene Sarver, Cookeville, TN
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)