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.
Aretha Gearhart, Council Bluffs, IA. Ephesians 1:21 KJV. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come
Gail-Tyler, TX
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?
Mark 8:35-36 NKJV
Kathleen Orange, TX
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:5 NKJV
James 1 : 2-4 NKJV
My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Onda Jenks, Morgantown, WV-Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1-ESV)
Riche – Fayetteville, NC
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
Carla, Pierre, SD
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
Alana McCullough, Lorton VA. “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.” Zephaniah 3:17, NIV
Jennifer Miller, Greensburg, LA
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18
Heather Miller, Greensburg, LA
Now there are many other things that Jesus did, Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21: 25 (ESV)
jamie, Crossett, AR
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NKJV
Maddy C, Los Angeles, CA
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
Susan Thomson, Crockett, TX
“The LORD is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1 NIV
Jodi, Sundown TX, What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God: as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people. 2Corinthians 6:16 ESV
Trish NH
Eph 3:17 ESV
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you being rooted and rounded in love
Darlyn Knapp – Singer,LA – “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
Leslyn, Houston, TX
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10b NIV
Jeanne Warner Robins, Georgia
Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Michelle, Denver, CO – A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check. Proverbs 29:11 HCSB
Kelsey Baker, Milledgeville, GA
“I know you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2, NIV
Psalm 16:6
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surly I have a delightful inheritance.
NIV
Chrystal – Coachella, CA – “You did not choose me, but I chose you” John 15:16
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
However, as it is written:
What no eye has seen,
What no ear has heard,
And what no human mind has conceived
The things God has prepared for those who love him.
Carol Rea Midland, Texas
I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8
Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world. I John 4:4 (NIV)
Sandy Hartley, Clatskanie OR
Proverbs 31:10-12 (KJV)
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Vickie Heerema, Pella, Iowa
A man’s wisdom gives him patience;it is his glory to overlook an offense Proverbs 19:11(NIV)
Kim from Minot, ND NIV Ephesians 4:29-30 “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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption!”
Leigh, Woodway, Texas
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)
Sheri, Black Diamond WA “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 ESV
I am late leaving my post, as I have decided to continue my three verses from the first of April. I bit off more than I could chew!
Tiffany Hunsberger
Osceola, IN
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy & find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Paula Rambo
Rowlett, Tax
Is not My word like a fire? Says the Lord. And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29
James 1:21-22 “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” NLT
Vicki Bolton, Lubbock, TX
For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily
in Christ, and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Col. 2: 9-10 HCSB
Kristin Smoot – Wahiawa, HI
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Jami Carey, Fishers, IN
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem; Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.
II Chronicles 20:17 NIV
Charity, Cohutta, GA “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips”. Psalm 141:3 NLT
Alexandria, La
Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:6 NKJV
Nitsa, Eugene, OR. “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 NAS
Proverbs 3:13 & 14 (ESV)
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
Wendy, Cary, NC
Zephaniah 3:17. 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.
Cindy in Raleigh NC
“I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings, all the things God has done that need praising, all the generous bounties of God, his great goodness to the family of Israel – compassion lavished, love extravagant.”
Isaiah 63:7 The Msg
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day
Psalm 91:5 (NKJV)
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Melissa Evans, Lexington,KY
“But The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one”. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Abide in my love. These things I have spoken to you. That my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11 ESV
Lauren in Sugar Land, TX
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” -Isaiah 55:8 (NASB)
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I Cor 13:12
Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because, God your God is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down. He won’t leave you. Duet. 31:6 msg
Sherilyn, Warsaw, IN
Command and teach these things.
I Timothy 4:11 NIV
(in the sequence of memorizing I Timothy 4: 6 – 16)
Amanda Grant, Calgary, AB, CAN:
Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Psalm 73:23-24 NLT