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.
Melanie Groff, Katy, TX-Take 2 (Ijust realized I posted same vs twice)
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15 (ESV)
DO not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord! Romans 12:11 ESV
Pamela Houston, Buena Park, CA
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.” Psalms 103:8 KJV
Tina, from Boise, ID
1 Peter 5:7. NLT
Give all your worries (Anxieties) and cares to God, for he cares about you.
emily lorin. atl, georgia.
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” proverbs 19:21 {niv}
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him;rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7
NKJV
Whitney Hazzard, Little Elm, TX
Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain or toil in vain.
Philippians 2:16 NASB
Anna Lynch, Greensboro, NC
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love Eph 3:17 NKJV
Cindy S Walker, Clear Lake area of Houston, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Val, Aldergrove, BC Canada
Hebrews 10:35 & 36 NIV
So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Debbie Pell, Rogersville MO
John 14:1 (KJV). Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Kathy, Bolivar, MO
May the God of hope fill you with all joy & peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 15:13
Kelli Gatewood, Avon, IN
We wait in hope for the LORD, he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:20-22
Monica Pribe, Blacklick, OH
“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8 ESV
Taryn from Corinth, TX
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”
Acts 5:29 (NIV)
Lois, Southbury, CT
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight . . .
Philippians 1:9 niv
Lisa Chadwick, N. Salt Lake, UT
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
– 1 Corinthians 13:4 (MSG)
Sorry so late!
Jeanne Gammon, Renton, WA – For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NASB)
Megan Loscher
Quincy, IL
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
Letha. Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Psalm 71:8 NIV
“My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.”
2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17 NIV
In the midst of teaching high schoolers and finding my memory verse giving strength to carry on and Do Love!
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us Eternal Encouragement and Good Hope, encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
I am indeed encouraged and strengthen to look at each student with a heart of the promised eternal encouragement.
Tracy, Kountze, Tx.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:12-13 NASB
Anna Scantlan
Sullivan, MO
I’m not sure of the order or how many I have forgotten to post, so I’m going to record the latest one in full and the previous ones by reference. Thanks!
“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)
Proverbs 3:3 (ESV)
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
Hosea 6:1-2 (NASB)
Jeremiah 12:5 (ESV)
Psalm 5:11 (ESV)
Ephesians 3:14 (ESV)
Ephesians 3:15 (ESV)
Donna, Ponder, TX Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on you own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths.
Janice, Springvile, AL
Loving God means keeping His commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3 ESV
modesto california
“The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer ” Psalm 18:2
Kristi, Telford, Pa
…from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Eph. 3:15 HCSB
I’m late but still memorizing!
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Cathy in Orofino, ID
God saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:5b-6
Jen from Round Rock, TX
Colossians 1:10b NIV
…bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…
Molly Longo, Lititz, PA
“it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 ESV
Pat, Brandon, Fl
Revelation 7:10
Standing before the throne and the Lamb and heartily singing:
Salvation to our God on His Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb!
The Message
Jennie Knoll – DeWitt,AR
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV) That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Carolyn Valente, Chicago, Illinois
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
Tina from San Antonio. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Eph 6:11 NIV
Diane, Durham NC
James 5:8 NIV
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Sue. Kingsport, TN.
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
The skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 NIV
Terry Karlson
Winchester, VA
“His incomparably great Power for us who believe… is like the working of his mighty strength.”
Ephesians 1:19 – NIV
Sheree Campbell, Phoenix, AZ
“Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life” Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)
Susan, Sydney, Australia “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV).
Kara, Overland Park, KS
“For The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
Deut. 32:45-46 NIV
when Moses had finished speaking all these words to Israel he said to them, “Take to heart all the words which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of the law. For it is not an idle word for you, indeed it is your life.”
Sheryl, Rocky Mount, NC. “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love O Lord endures forever do not abandon the works of Your hands.” Psalm138:8 NKJV
Magnolia TX
Romans 2:4
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
NLT
Sara Sanders, Garden City, KS
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
A planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61.3b
Colleen – Phoenix, AZ – Romans 12:12 (HCSB)
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
I started w/this verse in January and it is ALWAYS the first verse that comes to my mind – LOVE it – simple but powerful <3 Debbie in OR
Emily Hayes. Conway, Arkansas.
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, James 1:19. NIV
Barbara Q, West Point, Georgia
Psalm 118:29
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Kelly Parker, Shreveport, La
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 ESV
Laurie, Littleton, CO
Psalm 139:8 (NIV)
If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths you are there.