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.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 (ESV)
Kristin, Benbrook, TX
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 ESV
Renee Hall, Jackonville, FL
“And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.” Jeremiah 32:39 NLT
Carol Hulin, Waterloo, ON “…And they shall dwell secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth.” Amos 5:4b ESV
Phyllis, Slidell, LA
“The Lord is near to all who call upon him,
To all who call upon Him in truth”.
Psalms 145:18
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
Shannon, Rogers, AR Ephesians 3:17 “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” ESV
Dawn Winslow, Clever, MO
Colossians 3:14 (NLT) “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
Gwen, Earth TX
Revelation 17:14 (NIV)
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers.
Shelly Elston, Portland, Oregon
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”
Ephesians 3:17 (ESV)
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
John 3:30 NIV
He must become greater; I must become less.
Dorothy – San Diego, CA
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
Robin Elliott, Mobile AL
This is my command, be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord YOUR God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
Melissa, Marble AR
“And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right”.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
Lauren, Marble AR
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”.
John 3:16 – NIV
Stephanie, Frankfort, KY: “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action” (1 John 3:18 NRSV)
Nancy, Westfield, IN
“…and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:19 NIV
James1:25 – HCSB
The one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts-this person will be blessed in what he does.
Lyn, Tulsa, Ok
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13,14 (NKJV)
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Nehemiah 8:10b (NKJV)
The Joy of the Lord is my Strength !
((Thank You, Jesus !)
Michelle, Alberta, Canada
“But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.”
– Isaiah 32:8
Sheri Martens / Fairview, Oklahoma
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84: 10
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Psalm 91:7 NLT
Diane, Nowata, OK
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.
Debbie Haramzian New Port Richey, Florida
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Lisa, West Columbia, Texas
“You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked”. Psalm 91:8 (NIV)
Sherry Pearcy
Meeker, OK
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Ps. 103:8 (ESV)
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Cindy/Midland
Lora Lovin Osburn
Morristown, TN
“…Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;” Psalm 103:4b Amplified
Catherine, Forney TX
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love Ephesians 3:17 ESV
Betty, Austin, Texas “IF I go up to the heavens, you are there, if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Psalm 139:8 NIV
Lucille Goins New Bloomfield, Mo.
Ephesians 1:20 NKJV
Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
“If you abide in my word, you are my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Becky
Bobbie Schultz Fontana, California
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Sue Starling, Modesto, CA
Psalm 23:4 ESV
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil, for you are with me, Your rod and staff they comfort me.
Megan S.-Kansas City, KS
1 Peter 1:20 NIV
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
So teach us to number our days that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Psalm 20:12. NASB
So teach us to number our days that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Psalm 20:12. NASB
So teach us to number our days that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Psalm 20:12 NASB
Sheryl(58) Bella(7) Parker, KS
You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 NIV
For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
Debra, Many, LA
“A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.” Proverbs 25: 11 (HCSB)
Ephesians 3:14 (NIV)
For this reason, I kneel before the Father…
Hebrews 13:13-14 (NASB)
So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
Kathy LindseY, Ellerslie, GA . 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” NASB
Amanda T, Genoa City, Wi
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
Jenny Schultz, Valrico, FL:
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last.
John 15:16 (NIV)
Vickie Gainous, Cairo, Georgia
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25 NRSV
Dena K. from Columbus, OH:
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— (Habakkuk 3:17 NKJV)
Mary Beacham Homewood Al
Luke 1:45 ESV
“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from The Lord”
Carol Hosaflook Abilene, Tx Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8 KJV