9 Verses Every Ministry Leader Needs to Memorize
Serving others in ministry is honestly the best. There are few things that fulfill me like sharing the gospel. However, with all the joy around serving and loving others, there also comes days, weeks, and sometimes even months or years of hardships. These hardships can come physically, mentally, or spiritually. And let me remind you (and myself) that God doesn’t promise us a life free of hardships or trials, but God does promise and provide ways to get through the tougher times in ministry and life.
When someone has Jesus in their heart and is following Him, Satan hates it. He literally hates you, hates me, and hates God. The enemy knows that he cannot have the souls or eternities of Jesus-followers, but he will try and steal, discourage, distract, and divide everywhere else. This is not supposed to scare anyone, but to empower those who are serving in ministry and to remind us that what we’re doing has an eternal impact. Satan detests those who are impacting the kingdom of God, saying no to sin, creating disciples, and obeying to the Word of God.
Let’s fight our enemy with the offensive weapon that God has given us—His Word (Eph. 6:17)—and let’s hide it in our hearts that we might not sin against Him (Ps. 119:11).
Here are nine verses that I am encouraging us to commit to memory this next year:
Philippians 4:6—Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
This verse reminds us that worry will come, but prayer needs to be our go-to in everything. God cares to hear us.
2 Corinthians 12:9—But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
We have weakness, but His grace covers it all. Let’s rejoice in that
Jeremiah 29:11—“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Yes, this is a common, well-known verse, but really read it. The prophet Jeremiah was communicating that God hadn’t forgotten the Israelites. He had a hope for them and that hope all along was Jesus! Let’s rejoice in that we have the same hope, and we can rest in the fact that God’s plans are always better.
Psalms 119:37—“Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in your ways.”
In ministry, it is so easy to get caught up in the logistics of an event, but always keep the main thing the main thing, and that’s Jesus. Everything we do are filthy rags compared to Jesus (Did you catch the Isaiah 64:6 reference? That’s another verse for free.)
Romans 12:2-3—“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.”
Two verses which have two, full messages in and of themselves. Verse two tells us to renew and transforms daily through the gospel. That is the only way we are to be wise in our interactions and decision making. Verse 3 reminds us that we need to remain humble, simple as that. God is the only one worth boasting about.
Matthew 20:28—“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
This verse is pretty self-explanatory. Our job in ministry is to serve as Jesus served.
Commit these verses to memory. Treasure them in your hearts. Then fight the good fight for our Savior has already won the victory against our enemy!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Rachel Fox Frazier has the joy of serving full-time as the Middle School Girls Associate at Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. She loves spending her days helping students take their next right step in their relationship with Jesus. And she loves to spend her nights writing, planning, and dreaming about ways she can help others do the same! Rachel is recent newlywed and adores her hilarious and Jesus-loving husband. She loves connecting with others of matcha lattes, serving overseas, and everything about student ministry. Connect with Rachel: Instagram // Website