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.
Michele Zamora-Lubbock, TX
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore will I boast all the more gladly about my weakness,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Gal. 5:14
Dawn, Warren MI
Ephesians 4:23 ESV
and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Joanne Corley, Colleyville, TX
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3 NIV
Ruth Moore. Winston Salem,NC
It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the Kings anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. NLT
Juley Metcalf ~ Spicewood, Texas:
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
I Peter 1:23 KJV
Beth/Melissa, is “being” a P.A.P. (present active participle)?
Leslie from Longview,Texas
Colossians 1:12
And giving joyful thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light NIV
Hannah Marks, Harare, Zimbabwe
Make me to know your ways, O Lord,
Teach me your paths.
Psalm 25:4 ESV
Rockford, IL Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Deb Mountsier
Mason, Ohio
1John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Nancy Redkey
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13. NIV
Karen, New Prague, MN
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
MaLori, FTW, TX: “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:28 KJV)
Katie Burke, Tampa, FL
Galatians 5:16
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Carla Seeley, Georgetown, TX
Deuteronomy 13:1
If a person or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder
ESV
Pat Shake, Danville, IL Psalm 19:1-3 NIV
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Dede Mitchell Jacksonville Fl
Ps 23 (NKJV)
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Pam – Kountze, Tx
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
Psalm 58:3 NKJV
Ellainn White, Titusville, Florida
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 HCSB
Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassionate never fail they are new every morning; great is faithfulness. I say to myself, ” The Lord is my portion”; therefore I will wait for him. the Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the ones who seeks him; It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-26
Caryn Bedford, Tx
“And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.” 1 John 5:14 NLT
Mickey, Blue Springs, MO
Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13 TLB
Janet
Bemus Point, NY
Revelation 5:8 (NASB)
When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each of them holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And in French:
Apocalypse 5:8 (SG21)
Quand il eut pris le livre, les quatre etres vivants et les vingt-quatre anciens se prosternerent devant l’agneau. Chacun tenait une harpe et des coupes d’or remplies de parfums, qui sont les prieres des saints.
I love this! So beautiful in French!
Roanoke Rapids, NC Behold, the eye of the LORD is on them that fear HIm on them that hope in His mercy. Psalm 33:18 (KJV)
Angie W., Federal Way, WA and Ennis, MT
Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you. Joshua 3:5 ESV
Jaclyn, Houston. The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25 ESV
Donalee
Houston, TX
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
Isaiah 5:20 NIV
Jodee Walker, Mountain View, WY “Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV
RaeLeen, Bloomington, Indiana:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
I Cor. 13:4 (NIV).
Patti from birmingham
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29
Rae from Lafayette, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God,” Phil 4:6 NKJV
Marie Skipper, Granger, Tx. ( a little late, this is verse 8- for 4/15)
Proverbs 30:5
“Every word of God is true; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”
Marie Skipper Granger, Tx Verse 9-
Proverbs 30:6
“Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” NKJ
Tiffany Jones,Valparaiso,IN
Encourage those who are afraid. Tell them, “Be strong, fear not, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”
Isaiah 35:4 (TLB)
Gwyn of Haslet,Tx
Let us draw near to God, with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our no bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 (NIV84)
Poorna Diaz, Reston, Virginia: “And now we look back on all this and thank God, an artesian well of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God’s true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers!” 1 Thessalonians 2.13, The Message
Suzanne, St. Petersburg, Florida
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” – Colossians 3:12 NIV
Christy, Jonesboro, AR
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.
Molly Legg. Gainesville, GA
“Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1 NASB
Julie Wagner, Nederland,TX
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
1Corinthians 16: 13-14
Erin in Euless, TX
Galatians 6:4 (MSG)
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others.”
[…and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband]…and [b]that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].
Ephesians 5:33b (AMP)
Beth C., Huntsville, AL
In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11. ESV
Rita Quinlan – Alva, Florida
“The Lord gives His people strength, the Lord blesses them with peace.”
Psalm 29:11 – NLT
Bethany Stephens, Garland, TX
“Yet I am always with you; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. 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.” Ps 73:23-25 NIV
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water., which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
Ps 1:3
Lacey Thames, Kirbyville, Texas
This is what the ancients were commended for. (Hebrews 11:2 NIV)
(I’m working on the whole chapter, not just this verse in isolation.)
Gail Hinshaw, Summerville, OR
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding
Proverbs 2:6 ESV
Oops. I put one in twice. This should be my May 1 -or 4th;-)
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Kelley, Houston tx
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (nkjv)