2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV — Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Yesterday, I asked you to remember a time you have suffered loss and to recall those who comforted you as you mourned. Naomi had her daughter in-law, Ruth, and later her family redeemer, Boaz, to show her comfort. Today is Thankful Thursday. Take time to intentionally thank one of those persons who served as an agent of comfort for you in your time of grief. Remind them of the specific act that meant most to you. Send a text, make a phone call, or better yet, write a thank you note. By being intentional about thanking him/her for the act of comfort, you are also encouraging future acts of comfort. Use your experience with comfort as a guide for you as you comfort others.

Let’s pray. Thank You God for comforting me and sending others to be agents of comfort. Guide and direct me as I have opportunities to comfort others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Matthew 5:4 NIV — Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Yesterday we reflected on Naomi’s grief from the book of Ruth. I asked you to draw close to Naomi as we walked through her grief with her. As Naomi dealt with her loss, Ruth, her daughter in-law, became an agent of comfort. Later Naomi’s family redeemer, Boaz, also was an agent of comfort. It is inevitable that at some point in our lives we will experience loss. Today I ask you to draw close to a time you have mourned the loss of a loved one. Reflect on those who comforted you during your grief. How did they comfort you? What was most comforting to you as you mourned? Make a list of all of the ways you were comforted. Star or highlight the gestures that were most comforting to you. Make a plan to duplicate the gesture the next time you have the opportunity to be an agent of comfort to others. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending comfort when I mourn. Show me ways I can be an agent of comfort for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Psalm 34:18 NIV — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Take a moment to read Ruth 1 NIV.

Naomi has lost both of her sons as well as her husband. She is mourning and she feels desolate. Her grief is so heavy that she changes her name to Mara which means bitter in Hebrew. It seems she feels God has forsaken her and brought misfortune to her. Let’s draw close to Naomi today and walk through her pain together. 

Have you experienced grief in your life? There are many stages of grief, some of which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and then acceptance. What feelings did you have as you mourned? Where did you turn for help and support? If you or one of your loved ones is suffering from debilitating grief, I encourage you to reach out for support. One option is the Mental Health Hotline/866-903-3787.

Please know that God is with you, God loves you, and God will never forsake you. 

Let’s pray the below prayer from biblestudytools.com

Help us, dear God, to embrace our sadness without guilt or shame. Grant us the wisdom to understand that grief is a natural and necessary part of the human experience. In our mourning, may we find strength in our memories, solace in our tears, and comfort in the support of those who walk this journey with us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

As we begin this week together, take time to read and meditate on the scriptures that will be highlighted.

Psalm 34:18 NIV — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Ruth 1 NIV

Matthew 5:4 NIV — Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV — Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

@biblegateway @youversion

This week we will explore the Bible character Naomi from the book of Ruth. We will specifically talk about mourning and grief. Take time to listen to the following songs that were played recently during the service and at the cemetery of my father in-law’s funeral.

Just A Rose Will Do was sung at the funeral by a family member. This version is performed by Nashville Skyline Digital

Scars In Heaven by Casting Crown was played at the cemetery as the pallbearers placed their boutonniere on the casked along with a piece of soapstone. The soapstone represented Larry’s career as a pipefitter.

This week as we entered the last three months of 2025, I have encouraged you to reflect, refocus, and reset so you may finish the year in the best possible way. As I reflect on the previous nine months of 2025, I am savoring the sweet memories made, remembering the difficult days, and praising God for the lessons learned through it all. 

It just so happens that next week we have a fall break from school. I am looking forward to a week off from work, but I am also excited that our family will be going on vacation for a portion of the week. This time away will be an extra opportunity for me to reflect, refocus, and reset.

Julie and I have shared before one of our favorite quotes from author Mark Batterson.

Change of place + change of pace = change of perspective

As you reflect, refocus, and reset for the remainder of the year, I encourage you to have a change of place and change of pace. Perhaps you do not have the time, money, or opportunity for a true vacation. However, a change of place is simply time spent pulled away from your everyday routine. Maybe you can sit on the beach alone for a few hours, go on an extended walk in a place you don’t normally walk, or go to a local park to sit alone. Your version of change of place and pace may be a ride alone through the countryside or a boat ride down the river. The point is that you be intentional about slowing down, pulling away, and being in a place that isn’t in your daily routine. Savor this time with God and he will use your change of place and change of pace to change your perspective. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to Your presence today. Help me to begin the process of reflecting, refocusing, and resetting as I approach the last 90 days of 2025. May reflecting Your light be my primary goal. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

For the last few days I have asked you to spend some time on self-examination. I pray you have reflected, refocused, and reset so you may finish the last 90 days of 2024 strong. 

Take some time to read this blog post titled How To Improve Yourself: 20 Ways To Be Better by Elizabeth Perry.

Have you set a goal? Have you started some new routines? What will you do to keep growing closer to and more like Christ?

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to Your presence today. Help me to begin the process of reflecting, refocusing, and resetting as I approach the last 90 days of 2025. May reflecting Your light be my primary goal. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.