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.
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 NIV84
Kristi Bracelin, West Des Moines, IA
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV
Proverbs 3:12 (NKJV)
For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Lois Wheeler Des Plaines, IL
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Fredericksburg, VA
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
Sabrina-Houston
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
Amanda Jones, Austin, Tx: Do not be conformed 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 NIV
Keri Lee Robbins, Las Vegas, NV. “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17 NKJV)
Scarlett N. – Savannah, GA
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 ESV)
Karen New Holland,PA
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
Diane from Chesapeake, VA
Psalm 34:5 (NLT)
“Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”
Holly Cox,, Greenwood, SC
“‘Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? Father, get me out of this? No, this is why I came in the first place. I’ll say, Father, put your glory on display.’,
John 12:27 (MSG)
Kari Blackmore, Nyssa OR
or this reason I bow my knees to the Father
Ehpesians 3:14 NASB
Dawn Mt. Olive, NC
James 1:4 NIV
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it. Colossians 4:17 Translation unknown but thanks to Rebecca Scott for the verse 🙂
Vanessa, Johnson City, TN
Psalms 46:10 ESV
Be still and know that I am God.
Cara, Houston, Texas
“You keep your loving promise and lead the people you have saved. With your strength, you will guide them to your holy place.”
Exodus 15:13 NCV
Melanie Shenning, Valrico FL
Matthew 10:27 HCSB
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.
Jacqueline M, Lancaster Co PA
Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes.”
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways…
Psalm 91:11 NIV
Search for the Lord and his strength; continually seek Him.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NLT
Christy, Granger, IN “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” Lam. 3:21-22 (NIV)
Karen, Cypress, TX
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Paula, Maine
“For in Him you have been enriched in every way- in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.”
1 Corinthians 1:5 NIV
Katherine Marquis, Ontario, Canada
The end of a thing is better than its beginning;
The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NKJV)
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. (1 Samuel 12:23 NIV)
Deborah Harney, Columbia City, IN
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Alice Hinckley, Dallas, TX: Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in Thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV
Helena from Paradise, PA —
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the
Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is
the Spirit.” ~~ II Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Now the fruit of Righteousness is sown in peace
by those who make Peace.
James 3:18(NKJV)
Abbey Le Roy, Bluefield, West Virginia. “From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4 (ESV)
Soni from Gulfport,MS. Psalm 130:5 TLB (4/15/15)
“I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised”
Angela Pisel, Hickory NC
“Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. (Job 6:24 NIV)
Sandra M. Arnold, Paris, Tennessee
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” Proverbs 22:7 (NASB)
Abby Smith in Troy, OH
“strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience.” ~Colossians 1:11 (NASB)
Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland.
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Hab 3:19 (NIV)
Sue Groveport, OH
Psalm 37:14-15 NIV
The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
Kathy, Austin, Tx. Is 31:5 NIV Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem (my sons and me) he will shield us and deliver us, he will pass over us and will rescue us.
Lenora Grayson, Nixa, MO
“fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:21 ESV)
JOYce Partridge
Leola, AR
Romans 12:11 NIV
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord
Benton, AR
Taking the armor of God piece at a time…
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Ephesians 6:13-14
Toni Schumacher Amarillo TX
Zephaniah 3:17New International Version (NIV)
17 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.”
Kim Joyner, Poplar Bluff, MO. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8 (NASB)
Sandra Ruder, Hillsboro, KS
John 15:2, NIV
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Gina Campbell, Katy, TX.
for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14 NLT
Jen Pond, Iron River, MI
Joshua 1:8-9 NLT
Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Becky, Choctaw, OK
“I AM the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV
Dawn, Orland Park, IL: “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” Psalm 147:11 (NIV)
Annette Baal, Stouffville ON Canada
Jude 8
Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.
NKJV
Jamie, Wichita, KS
[Love] always looks for the best
Never looks back
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.
1 Corinthians 13:7b-8a The Message