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.
Jenni-Minnesota
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way possible. Psalm 18:32
Dawn, Warren MI
Acts 6:10 NIV
But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. NET
Angie Miller, Macon, MS
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Trudy Smith
Baton Rouge, LA.
I John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word neither in tongue, but in deed and truth.
Adele from Matthews NC
Psalm 145:14 NLT
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always in all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus christ
Jamie Raborn from Ooltewah, Tennessee
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
[23] Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Kerry, Nederland, Texas
You will trample upon lions and cobras, you will crush fierce lions and scorpions under your feet! The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name.
Psalm 91:13-14 (continuing all of Psalm 91)
1 Thess. 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. NIV
(Catch up time!)
Susie Handy, Swampers, LA
I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
~ Ephesians 4:1 ESV
Verse 8 – I am a little late, but still committed.
Rene’ from Mineola, TX:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB)
Rachel – Nashville, TN
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
Penny Dresselhaus; Loganville, GA
Psalm 34:3
“O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.”
NASB
Rebecca & Emma Jamerson, Hallsville, TX
Emma
Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever. Psalm 131:3, KJV
Rebecca
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans8:35, KJV
Rebecca & Emma Jamerson, Hallsville, TX
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Romans8:37 KJV
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV
Psalm 73:26 NIV, My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Amanda Dodd; Queen City, TX
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:15 (NIV)
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)
Phoebe, Knoxville TN.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”
Eph. 6:17 ESV
Jan in Katy
IN the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. Gen 1:1 NET
Spotsylvania, VA
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18 NIV
Roni – Demopolis, Alabama – “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom” NASB Psalm 51:6
Sabrina
Lincoln NE
Psalm 62:6 (NASB)
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
Edgar Springs, MO
Ephesians 1:11 NLT
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Nikki McGregor, Radford, VA
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2 (NASB)
Natalie, Cumberland Gap, TN
Ephesians 3:13-15 KJV
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Gather of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
Carol
Carthage, NY
SO THAT Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you,
being rooted & established in love,
Ephesians 3:17 NIV
Cindy Cabaniss, Shelby, NC
Romans 15:13 NIV
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.
Lillian P
I Corinthians 6:12 NIV
“Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” – but I will not be mastered by anything. NIV
Sheri, Morrisville, MO
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The go of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NIV
Vicki Bolton, Lubbock, TX
The earth and everything in it,
the world and its inhabitants,
belong to the Lord;
Psalm 24:1 HCSB
Donna, Chesapeake VA, I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. Ps 138:2 ESV
Hebrews 13:5 NKJV
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Priscilla Nash-San Antonio
May there be peace inside your walls and prosperity in your palaces.” (Psalms 122:7 GW)
Raquel Davis – Monticello, ms
Isaiah 53 1-3 kjv.
1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Brittany Powell. Jayess, ms
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips. When I remember you on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, because You have been my help. Therefore, in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. My soul flows hard after the, Thy right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:5-8. Nkjv
Jennifer B, Plano, TX
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
James 1:9 NIV
Beverly, Cumberland Gap, TN
Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)
And take he helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Lauren Clontz, Danville, KY
“‘I came by again and saw you, saw that you were ready for love and a lover. I took care of you, dressed you and protected you. I promised you my love and entered the covenant of marriage with you. I, God, the Master, gave my word. You became mine.”
Ezekiel 16:8 The Message
Lonnie Hall – Brunswick, GA
James 3:13
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
The Lord answered I myself will go with you, and I will give you victory. Exodus 33:14 (ESV)
Deneen
Sterlington, LA
Scarlett Flynn, Round Rock, TX
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4, NIV)
Colossians 3:8 (NASV) “But now, you also put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.”
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV)
Rebecca S, Fort Worth, Texas
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
John 15:9