Choosing the Better Thing: What Mary and Martha Teach Us About Walking With Jesus

Choosing the Better Thing: What Mary and Martha Teach Us About Walking With Jesus

There’s a short but powerful story tucked away in Luke 10:38–42—a story many Christians know, but few fully absorb. It’s the moment when Jesus gently corrects a woman who was doing all the right things, yet missing the most important thing. This passage offers a lesson we desperately need in our busy, distracted world.

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The Bible Verse That Changed My Life

Hey friends,
Jay Moore here — founder of The Ordinary Christian. Today I want to share a passage of Scripture that has shaped my spiritual growth for decades. It’s a verse I first memorized in college while being discipled, and it has remained a steady source of encouragement and confidence ever since.

The verse is Joshua 1:8–9, a moment when God is preparing Joshua to step into leadership after the death of Moses. The responsibility was enormous, and Joshua needed reassurance, strength, and direction. God gave him exactly that:

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success… Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

There are three powerful truths here:

1. Meditate on God’s Word continually.

This isn’t the empty-mind meditation you hear about in Eastern practices. Biblical meditation is the filling of our minds — chewing on Scripture like a cow chews its cud, bringing it up again and again until it transforms how we think and how we live.

2. Obedience leads to spiritual success.

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how much Scripture we know, but how much Scripture we obey. God blesses obedience — He always has.

3. God commands us to be strong and courageous.

Courage isn’t optional for the Christian life. God commands it — and gives us the reason we can obey it:
He is with us wherever we go.

This verse has carried me through fear, uncertainty, and seasons of transition. And I believe it can do the same for you.

I recorded a full video teaching on this passage, and I’d love for you to watch it:

👉 Watch on YouTube: The Bible Verse That Changed My Life

If the message encourages you, don’t forget to like the video, subscribe, and hit the notification bell — and if you want ongoing weekly encouragement, join The Ordinary Christian newsletter community.

Let’s keep shining the Light of Christ boldly.

God bless,
Jay

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Stop Negotiating With God: The Secret to Peace in a Worry-Filled Life

If you’ve ever tried to serve God on your own terms, you’re not alone. Many believers think peace comes when they can control how and where they serve—but the opposite is true. When we surrender our will to God’s will, we experience the freedom and peace that come from trust. Discover how to stop negotiating with God and start embracing His plan with joy and confidence.

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The Words That Still Haunt Me!

Can I tell you about the words that still haunt me to this day?

“I never intended to talk to you about Him.”

Those were my exact words to a co-worker named Lauren back in 1977 when she asked me not to bring up Jesus if we went out on a date. At the time, I laughed it off. I wanted her approval more than I wanted to risk her rejection.

And I meant it.

I really never intended to talk to her about Him.

Nine months later, I sat in a friend’s apartment watching TV when a breaking news story came on:

“…Lauren Wagner’s body was found—the 10th victim of the Hillside Strangler…”

My heart sank. My mind went numb. Her face filled the screen, and my words came roaring back like thunder: “I never intended to talk to you about Him.”

And I never did.

That night God broke me. Standing outside the apartment with tears streaming down my face, I felt Him saying:

“Jay, how dare you care more about your image than someone else’s eternity? How dare you bury the greatest gift ever given when souls are at stake?”

It was the night I realized worry is deadly—not just to us, but to the people we refuse to reach. From then on, I made a commitment: if someone gets to know me, they’re also going to know about Jesus. Period.

No more excuses. No more pretending.

Because here’s the truth: I’m just God’s delivery boy. I don’t save anyone, but I carry the Good News—and it’s too urgent, too costly, to stay silent.

Now let me ask you—what about you?

👉 What keeps YOU from sharing Jesus with others?
👉 What fear, what worry, what excuse has silenced your voice?

I want you to be honest with me. Hit the comment and tell me. Don’t hold back.

Your story matters—not just to me, but to this whole Ordinary Christian community. Who knows? Your testimony might be the spark that helps someone else break free from the same chains of fear.

So, what’s holding you back?

How to Live on Mission When You Struggle with Worry (3 Biblical Benefits)

Does worry keep you from sharing jesus with others? You’re not alone

Discover 3 Biblical benefits of living worry-free. Learn how to overcome anxiety as a Christian and step boldly into Christ’s mission today.

Why Worry Keeps Christians from Living on Mission

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize that He is able to carry out His will for me.”
— Hudson Taylor

Worry is one of the most paralyzing obstacles a Christian will ever face. And if we’re honest, many of us live under its weight. We worry about the unknowns, about how people will respond to us, about where God might send us, or whether our needs will be met.

But here’s the hard truth: if worry is not dealt with, it will keep us from living the very mission Christ has called us to.

The time to join Christ on His mission is not someday when fear is gone. The time is now.

My Personal Story: How Worry Almost Silenced My Faith

I know what it’s like to let worry win.

During high school, I often worried more about my image than my faith. I didn’t want to be labeled as a “Jesus freak,” so I stayed quiet when I should have spoken up.

But God brought me to a moment of decision my freshman year of college.

I still remember sitting in front of the television when a news report came on: the 10th victim of the Hillside Strangler had been found. Her name was Lauren Wagner. And as her picture flashed across the screen, my stomach dropped—because I knew her. We had worked together at Taco Bell the year before.

One night while we were working, I had asked her out. She smiled and replied, “On one condition—you never talk to me about that Jesus crap.” And with a nervous laugh I told her, “Don’t worry, I never intended to.”

Those words came back to haunt me that night. As I watched the report, the Holy Spirit pierced me with conviction: I had allowed worry about what people thought to keep me from sharing the greatest hope in the world.

Standing outside that apartment in tears, I made a promise to God: I would never again let worry about my image matter more than someone’s eternity.

3 Biblical Benefits of Living Worry-Free

Since then, I’ve learned something: living on mission doesn’t mean waiting until your fear disappears. It means stepping forward anyway, trusting Christ to replace your worry with His peace. And when you do, three things happen:

1. A Worry-Free Life Fills You with God’s Peace

Jesus promised us a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27). But you can’t experience His peace and cling to your worry at the same time. The choice is simple: surrender worry and gain His peace.

2. A Worry-Free Life Proves the Gospel is Real

When unbelievers see Christians face trials without fear, they notice. Our peace becomes living proof that God’s Word is true (Romans 8:28).

3. A Worry-Free Life Sharpens Your Focus on Mission

Worry distracts us with “what ifs.” When it’s gone, we can see clearly where Christ is working and join Him without hesitation.

How Christians Can Overcome Worry Today

Friend, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Don’t wait until the fear is gone. Don’t wait until you feel ready.

Jesus said, “Follow me.” And the time to obey Him is always now.

Worry is loud, but it does not have to be your master. Christ has already promised His peace, His presence, and His power.

Let the journey into a worry-free, missional life begin.

✍️ This post is drawn from the introduction of my new book, Living on Mission in Spite of My Worry. If you’re ready to discover six Biblical principles that will help you break free from anxiety and step fully into the life Christ has called you to, you can get your copy here

A CHRISTIAN'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WORLD AROUND THEM: How To Live In A Pagan Culture

The Bible speaks a lot about the kind of relationships we as Christians are to have with others around us. It talks about how husbands are to relate their wives and wives to their husbands; it talks about how parents should relate to their kids and how their kids are to relate to them. So, it should not surprise us that the Bible also talks about how Christians are to relate to the people of the world around them. It should actually expect that the Bible would tell us how God wants us to relate to the pagan culture around us. And IT DOES!

In this video we are going to ask and answer 3 questions that will give us insight into how God wants us to relate to the people who live in this world and don’t have faith in Jesus Christ. These 3 questions deal with the different roles that each of us play and what should be expected.

What are these 3 questions:

  1. Who are the people of the world to us who are Christians?

  2. Who are we, as Christians, to the people of this world?

  3. How does God expect us to behave as we live out these roles and engage in these pagan relationship?

So with that in mind watch this video and make sure to LIKE IT, SHARE IT. Also I invite you to signup for The Ordinary Christians newsletter. It will keep you updated on what’s happening with The Ordinary Christian and all new free content/training that is coming out. Here’s the video:


How To Pray With Confidence?

Today I wanted to send out this email specifically and intentionally to encourage you by letting you know that you can offer up your prayers with confidence.  But it is sad to say but it is true that so many of our brothers and sisters don't have confidence when they pray.  That lack of confidence is a killer to developing a strong and powerful prayer life. 

Please watch this video, be encouraged by it, if you find it helpful then share it with your church family.  Take courage my friend and may God richly bless you with every spiritual blessing! 

How To Love Jesus More Than Anyone Else!

How To Love Jesus More Than Anyone Else!

Learning to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength is the greatest commandment in the Bible and Jesus said you are not worthy to be his disciples if you love anyone else or anything else. This post is to help you obey the command of loving God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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STOP Reading The Bible The Wrong Wa

There Is A Wrong Way To Read The Bible!

You may be shocked to hear that there is a wrong to read the Bible! Can that really be true? If you’re reading the Bible isn’t that a good thing that will help us grow in our spiritual life?

Not always and I might even add, NOT USUALLY!. Everyday there are well meaning Christians who are engaged in reading the Bible and expecting to get the wonderful benefits that pastors and churches have promised them but with very little results. Why? Because they are reading the Bible the wrong way.

There Is A Right Way To Read The Bible

If there’s a wrong way to read the Bible then logically there must be a right way to reading the Bible. And that would be absolutely correct.

For me once I started reading the Bible differently, the right way, my whole spiritual life and transformation changed. I knew I was spiritually stronger, I understood spiritual matter clearer, and I was able to fight of temptation with great effectiveness.

Take A Few Minutes & Watch This Video To Learn For Yourself How To Read The Bible The Right Way & Not The Wrong Way.

Learn how to stop reading the Bible the wrong way.

Loving Like Jesus!

Loving Like Jesus!

Loving like Jesus is a command from Jesus that every ordinary christian must learn to obey if they are going to shine the Light of Christ brightly in their part of this dark world.

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1 Major Obstacle To Magnifying Christ

As Christians were are shine the light of Jesus brightly in our part of this dark world but the question I think we need to ask ourselves is how we can magnify Christ even larger in a world filled with darkness. Or, are there any obstacles that keep us from magnifying Christ in and through our lives.

In this video I will identify a hug obstacle that blocks Christ from being magnified.

Watch This Video & See If You Are Magnifying Christ Or Is There Something That Needs To Be Changed!

God's Purpose For Your Spiritual Freedom

As Followers of Christ we have experienced spiritual freedom. That idea of freedom leaves us with the impression that before we knew Christ we were slaves and indeed we were truly slaves.

This post is given to help us understand our spiritual freedom and how we are to use it. Watch it! Be challenged by it! And go out and live that freedom.

Russia, Ukraine, & God's Sovereign Control

There is so much grave concern about what is going on with Russia in regards to Urkraine. And understandably so! But I also want to remind my brothers and sisters in Christ about the lesson God taught King Nebuchadnezzar. It is a lesson that we as God's people need to remember and find comfort in. Here is what God said to the Great King Nebuchadnezzar,

"... and this is the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: that you be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the beasts of the field, and you be given greass to east like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes." Daniel 4:25

While this is disturbing! While this invasion should cause all of us to stand up, take notice and choose to do something about it. We also need to remember that God is not only on His thrown but God is also in charge of what nations are raised up, what nations are torn down and that it is all about God bringing about the end of this present age and bringing in the age to come also known as the Millennial Kingdom where Christ reigns for a 1000 years.

From an earthly perspective we see nations positioning themselves to further their ambitions but from a Heavenly perspective God is moving His chess pieces to usher in his Kingdom.

So, with all that is going on let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Ukraine but let us also keep our faith in the Lord Jesus strong and remember that even the nations of this world are under His sovereign authority. And let us pray for God's Kingdom to come and God's will to be done on earth just as it is in Heaven.

Remember the words of Jesus when He told his disciples,

" ... you will be hearing of wars and rumors of war. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom and against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all of these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs." Matthew 24:6-8

Remember God is still in control!