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.
Amy from Noble,OK
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
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.
Dianne Green, Jackson Tn, “What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Psalm 34:12 ESV
Melia
Loganville, GA
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 NIV
Michaela
Loganville, GA
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Amee from Hercules, CA
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalms 139:23-24 NLT)
Jenni Banicki, Elk Grove, CA, “The patient are better than warriors, and those who rule their temper, better than the conqueror of a city.” Proverbs 16:32 (NAB)
April Jackson, Lagrange, Georgia
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 ESV
Taryn Crabill, Temple TX. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV.
Dripping Springs, Texas
Psalm 8:3-4
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
For April 15, 2015
“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is
none like Me.” Isaiah 46:9 (NIV)
Marybeth Pettitt Connell, WA
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten–
Joel 2:25a. NIV
Missouri city, TX Ashlie Black
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24 ESV)
Kathy Jackson, Memphis, TN
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 ESV)
Leslie Westmoreland, Franklinton LA
Verses 7 and 8: A cheerful look brigs joy to the heart and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30 NIV
I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness. Psalm 119:40 NLT
Lindsey Gibson, Soddy-Daisy,TN, Ephesians 4:29, NKJV, Let no corrupt talk proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
If I speak with the tongues of men or EVEN of angels, but have not love- I am nothing but a resounding gong or clanging symbol.
1 Corinthinians 13:1 NIV (with my emphasis, sorry)
Lisa
Moyock, NC
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.
Psalm 145:13, NIV
jana, Altus, OK
Isaiah 30:18a
“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you.”
Stephanie Hamburg Ar. Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19 NLT
Sandee Tseng, Santa Monica CA
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God – not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:8-10
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
– Angie Watson, Greenville, NC
Christi Hudson, Newnan, GA
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) (Christi)
Ann, Cataula, GA
Proverbs 11:16, NIV
A kindhearted woman gains respect.
Sarah Franke – College Station, TX “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Proverbs 10:19 NLT
Paula, Dalhart, TX
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.” Romans 4:19 NIV
Sandy; Amarillo,TX
…Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
Ruth 1:16 NIV
Sherry Sartain, Louisville, KY, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Psalms 46:1 NIV “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”
Lori
Bangor, Maine
What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works.
Matthew 6:31-32 (Message)
Matthew 7:5 NLT
Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Autumn, Lubbock, TX
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a
rich store of salvation and wisdom and
knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the
key to this treasure.”
Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)
Meleah Spencer, Springfield, MO. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17. ESV
Sherrie Bell, San Antonio, TX
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)
Galatians 3:13 NKJV
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
Morgan Roberts, Brandon, MS
“… so that you may be able to discern what is best and may 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 1:10-11
Morgan Roberts, Brandon, MS
“… so that you may be able to discern what is best and may 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 1:10-11 NIV
Sherry, Independence, Oregon
“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Mark 8:34 (NKJV)
Angela
Greenville Ohio
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Michelle, North Little Rock, AR
“He will fill your mouth with laughter. Shouts of joy will come from your lips.”
Job 8:21 (NIRV)
Barbara, Fort Wayne, IN. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Janette
Estes Park, CO
Romans 14:19. NIV
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.
Kimberly Balles Rolling Meadows, IL
“See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
Isaiah 49:16 NIV
Sarah M. Laurel, MS– “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 (NIV)
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
I sought the LORD and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Lorraine – Ketchikan, Alaska
But you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh, declares the LORD, but I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you may go.
Jeremiah 45:5 NASB
Frances Selner from Fort Worth, TX
“I sought the LORD and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:3 NASB
Elaine from Greenville, SC: Colossians 3:3 (NLT) For you died to this life and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Angi – Pelham, AL
I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6 KJV
Amy Gossen
Springfield MO.
Psalm 31:24 NKJV
Be of good courage, And he shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.
Casey Murray,KY
Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV