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.
Emily Emberson Wichita ks
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7
Laura Proctor, Madison, MS
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
Psalm 25:4&5 NIV
“James, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces patience, but let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose he shall receive anything from the Lord. He is a double minded man and unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation. For as the flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burnin heat then it withers the grass, its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance parishes. so the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits James 1: 1-12
Bambi – Campbell, CA
2 Timothy1:7. NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Linda Steriti
Littleton NH
What good is it, my brothers if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him?
James 2:14 NASB
Bangkla, Chachoengsao, Thailand
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โรม10:9
“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 ESV
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS
“So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:31
And God showed me a whole flock of sparrows when He gave me this verse as I watched from the window of my daughter’s room in ICU.
Nedra, Blue Springs, MO “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.” Ephesians 1:4 NASB
Katie Carruth, Charlotte, NC “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 ESV
Cindi, Madison, MS
“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your Name forever.” Psalm 86:12 (ESV)
Becky from central Pa
“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” Psalm 119:36-37
terry
Washington, IL
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. (Psalms 62:5 NLT)
Melinda Brown, Olive Branch, MS – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NASB
My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6 (NASB)
Ruth Stephenson, Milan TN
“Great is The Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.”
Psalms 145:3. NIV
Tami
Platte, South Dakota
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
Jennifer Meyers
Jasper, AL
“for we walk by faith, not by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
Jennifer Prochnow, springerville, AZ
For the LORD is good and HIS love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5 NIV
Cheryl Tyler, Magnolia TX.
“For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.”
I Thessalonians 1:8 NKJV
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you an watch over you.” (NIV)
Robin Myers, Salem, Indiana, Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Psalms 119:105 NIV
Kari, Sikeston, MO
As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
I Samuel 18:1 ESV
Teresa Landreth, Chadron NE
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2 NIV)
Susan, Blacksburg, Virginia
“Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.” Psalms 91:8
Benson, Arizona (currently in La Grande Oregon) my verse:
Blessed is she who trusts in the Lord and has made Him her hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7
But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold! Job 23:10
Julie Kearns, Jefferson City, MO
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19 NIV
Flint, Texas Spring has sprung! So much to be thankful for in beautiful East Texas…azaleas, dogwoods, roses! God blesses us everyday, it’s up to us to notice it!!!
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
NIV
Wendy, Mechanicsville, VA
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 ESV
Becky, Alberta, Canada
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. Ps. 31:7
Patrice, Midland, TX
Psalm 121:8 (NIV)
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Ephesians 4:29 Message
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Stacy Roznovak, Taylor, TX
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Col. 3:23 (NIV)
“For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does.” Psalms 33:4. NIV
Psalm 103 Expanded Bible
1. All that I am [T O my soul], ·praise [bless] the Lord;
everything in me [ all my inward parts], ·praise [bless] his holy name.
2. ·My whole being [T O my soul],·praise [bless] the Lord
and do not forget all his ·kindnesses [gifts; benefits].
3. He forgives all ·my [or your] ·sins [iniquity] and heals all ·my [or your] ·diseases [ills].
4. He ·saves [redeems] ·my [or your] life from the ·grave [L pit] and ·loads [or crowns] ·me [or you] with ·love [loyalty] and ·mercy [compassion].
5. He satisfies ·me [or you] with good things [L as long as you live; or according to your desires]and ·makes me young again [L renews your youth], like the eagle [Is. 40:31].
6.The Lord does what is ·right [righteous] and ·fair [just]for all who are ·wronged by others [oppressed; exploited].
7.He ·showed [revealed] his ways to Moses and his deeds to the ·people [sons] of Israel.
8.The Lord shows ·mercy [compassion] and ·is kind [grace].
He ·does not become angry quickly [is slow to anger], and he has great ·love [loyalty;}
9. He will not always ·accuse [charge; contend with] us,
and he will not ·be angry forever [L keep watch forever].
10. He ·has not punished us as our sins should be punished [L does not act toward us according to our sins];
he has not repaid us ·for the evil we have done { according to our iniquity].
11. As high as the ·sky [heaven] is above the earth,
so great is his ·love [loyalty] for those who ·respect [fear] him
Tina in Eaton CO
Vikki Stemler, Jeffersonville, Indiana
“Do not conform to 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 NIV
Janice Thacker, Sumner, IL
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36
Sam, Colorado Springs, CO
Test me, LORD, and try me,
Examine my heart and my mind;
Psalm 26:2, NIV
Jenna S. – Ooltewah, TN
Psalm 16:5&6 (ESV)
“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Rebecca Alread, St Simons Island, Ga. “Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:30 MSG
Mary Anne Kent, Austin, Texas
“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,”- Philippians 1:18 (ESV)
Kirsten Pierce, Boones Mill, VA. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV.
Mary Anne Kent, Austin, Texas
for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. Phil1:19 (ESV)
Cynthia, Russellville, AR
Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him! Psalm 147:1
Sandra J Kent, Gwinn MI
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19 ESV
Melanie Miller, Armuchee, GA
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3:16 (NKJV)
Wendy P. Milwaukee, WI “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Better late then never!!! I WILL memorize scripture and see this through to the end!
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
Psalm 1:1
Whitney Amos
Temple, TX
Ephesians 3:17 ESV
“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith —
that you, being rooted and grounded in love…”
Jennifer Tribbie, Columbus, OH
“The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”
Psalm 29:11, NLT