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.
Christy, Karen, Cheryl Jay, OK
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, saith the LORD>
Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJ
Shari Schock – Steilacoom, WA
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
29 The righteous shall inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever. Psalms 37:29
Billie, Greenville, KY “…like a robe You will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will have no end.” Hebrews 1:12 ESV
Micki Elaine, Atlanta, Tx.
For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
I Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)
Penny Mansfield, OH
But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. Luke 6:27-28 NLT
Marilyn,Dearborn, MO.
O Lord, You have searched me and known me!
Psalm 139:1 ESV
Jennifer Jackson, Tulsa OK
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.
Ephesians 2:14
Pam, Wassenaar the Netherlands
Psalm 91:14-15GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will save you and honor you.
Ann, Prior Lake, MN
“Little children, let us not love (merely)in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and sincerity).”
I John 3:18 (Amplified Bible)
Cathy Hare – Rowlett, TX
“and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2 NIV 1984
Paula, OKC, OK: Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. James 3:4 NIV
miranda Strader • West Virginia • “everything God does is right – the trademark of his work is love” Psalms 145:17 MSG
Alicia L. Clinton, Balch Springs, TX “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father.” Eph 3:14 ESV
Lois, Centerton, If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14 NKJV
Barbara
Eagle, Idaho
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
Anna, Little Elm, TX
Return to your rest, my soul, for Adonai has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7 (TLV)
Janet, Lenoir, NC: “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8 ESV
Allison Yount, Clearwater FL
Whom have I in heaven but you? And Earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion FOREVER.
Psalm 73: 25-26
NIV
Tracy V. Danville, IN
For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Philippians 2:3-4 niv
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.
Kara Ida grove Iowa
Lucinda Culver Wichita KS “Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place, and he will not be there.” Psalm 36:10 NASB
Linda, Gaylord, MI
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
Cheryl Dulaney
Lafayette LA
John 14:21 NLT
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.
Michelle, Mosinee, WI
Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.
Colossians 4:17
Elise, Houston TX
Psalm 139:16. ESV
Your eyes saw my unformed substance, in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Donna Mayfield, Archdale, NC
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
Cindy, Houston, TX
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
Lora Brobst – Hiawatha, KS
I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 NIV
Rachel Grantham, Raymond, MS:
“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12 NIV)
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Psalm 51:8 (NIV)
Allison Crook – Albuquerque, NM
“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.”
Psalm 71:14-15 (NIV84)
Janis Nelson, College Station, Texas
Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone, and You are the Ruler of all mankind. Your hand controls power and might, and it is at Your discretion that men are made great and given strength.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (TLB)
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”…
~Ephesians 3:18 ESV
Hollie,
Granbury, TX
Jasper, TX
I Peter 5:6&7
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He care for you.” NIV
Jenny Manis, Glen Rose, TX, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, (Colossians 3:23 NIV)
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.
Job 34:32 NIV
Logansport, IN
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 NAS
Jennifer Shoalmire, Houston: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3 NIV)
Sarah Tarr, Franklin TN
‘The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save, he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you by his love, he will exult over you with loud singing.’ Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Yet in like manner these people also relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
Jude verse 8 ESV
Better late than never, I guess.
Terri, Richmond, MO
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:5. ESV
Judy, Bayport, NY
Proverbs 2:10
10 Wisdom will come into your heart,
Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul,
Vicki, Lenexa, KS
2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
Sarah
Portales, NM
Isaiah 49:1b ESV
“The Lord called me from the womb, from my mother’s body he named my name.”
CAM
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dshed. Psalms 119:116
Jill Smit- Eugene, OR
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
—Proverbs 19:21
Karen F., Brandon, FL.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4: 16, NIV
Melanie Wilson, New London, PA
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:19 nkjv
Sara Morris, Alpharetta, GA
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21 NIV