Arise Women's Ministry

09/30/2026

Choose the Better Thing: Arise and Shine Devotional

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

My alarm buzzed, and I groggily reached over to turn it off. My mind immediately went to my to-do list and the tasks for the day, followed by thoughts of what was ahead in the weeks to come. As my brain tried to process it all, I could feel the anxiety and sense of overwhelm rising before my feet ever hit the floor.

In that moment, a Bible story broke through my anxious spiral. I could picture Martha busying herself in the kitchen, trying to get everything done. She glances at the disciples sitting around their Rabbi, Jesus, listening to His every word, and there is her sister, Mary, right at Jesus' feet, the place where the men typically sat. Martha calls attention to her concerns, expecting Jesus to put Mary in her place, but His tender response is not at all what Martha expects.

As I thought through the many things that needed my attention, I felt like Martha, and it was as if I could hear Jesus whispering to my heart:

Darla, Darla, you are worried about many things, but few things are needed, or indeed only one. Will you choose to sit at my feet like Mary?

That morning, I chose to prioritize my time with the Lord in His Word, and it made all the difference for the rest of the day. Slowing down and sitting with Scripture was exactly what I needed. Instead of getting lost in the chaos of the tasks ahead, I was reminded of the One who calms the chaos and holds authority over it all.

When was the last time you sat at His feet, dear one? Have you been feeling overwhelmed like Martha, losing sight of what truly matters most? Today, make the decision to surrender your to-do list to Jesus and spend time in His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you, and be willing to sit in the quiet and listen for His gentle voice. His tender response may be exactly what you need to hear.

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

Our Online Bible Study, The God You Need To Know by Margaret Feinberg begins next Monday, October 5th at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST. We'll learn practical ways to engage the Holy Spirit in our lives as we encounter God's Spirit throughout the Old Testament.

Check out the promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfNy2ZZJ-I

Learn more and register on our website: https://www.arisewomensministry.org/onlinebiblestudies

Learn practical ways to engage the Holy Spirit in your life as you ...

09/28/2026

Don't miss our Deeply Rooted Fall Retreat on October 16-18 at Christian Renewal Center (near Silver Falls). Registration closes October 2!

https://www.arisewomensministry.org/retreats

09/25/2026

Just one week left until registration closes on Friday, October 2nd!

Learn more and register on our website: https://www.arisewomensministry.org/retreats

09/23/2026

Moms of Grace is back! We have our first meeting of the 2026-2027 year tonight, Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:30-8:00 PM at West Salem Christian Church. Childcare is available. Learn more and register on our website: https://www.arisewomensministry.org/momsofgrace

09/23/2026

A Workout That Lasts: Arise and Shine Devotional

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

Oh, wow, I am sore!

I groaned as I climbed each step, feeling every muscle I'd worked out the day before. It had been a while since I'd used that particular weight machine at the gym, and I was definitely noticing the difference the next day. It was clear I had neglected that specific muscle group, and my body was letting me know it.

In the following days, my muscle soreness eased, and as I began a regular workout routine again, my body adapted and there were fewer jarring aches in the morning. Getting back into a regular weightlifting routine has its benefits… but they only last this side of heaven.

Something that has a more lasting impact than my exercise discipline is my spiritual discipline. Paul writes in his letter to Timothy that while physical training has some value, it's godliness that has value both in the present life and the life to come.

So, how's your spiritual workout routine? Do you find yourself going to the same Scripture verses but neglecting their context? Are there pages in your Bible you've never read? Maybe they've sounded too confusing or boring… but they're there for a reason.

Have your prayers become routine around mealtimes but fail to address what's really going on in your heart? Has "I'm just too busy for that" been your excuse for far too long… and now you find yourself wondering when the last time was that you had a real moment with Jesus?

The good news is that it's never too late to exercise those spiritual muscles. If it's been a while, or it's something new, it may feel strange at first… but over time, you'll see real results. When that next challenge in life comes, you won't respond the way you used to. You'll recognize that your faith has grown, and the investment you've made in time with Jesus is paying off… with rewards that last for eternity.

Don't neglect those spiritual muscles, dear one! Get your workout on today!