The Solitude to Hear God

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Jesus occasionally went off by Himself, leaving even His disciples behind. We might consider this His recharging time – when the Lord regrouped after the intensity of ministry. But Jesus’ purpose was not really to be alone but to find space to meet and be with His Father. For Him (and for us), that’s the real promise of solitude: a quiet that allows us to hear God’s voice. We live in a world bristling with noise, so finding solitude is essential. Plenty of people want time to focus on themselves – in other words, “me time.” But as Christians, we must pursue the kind of solitude that removes distractions and makes space for us to encounter the Lord.

Commentary from the In Touch Devotional by In Touch Ministries, March 29, 2024.

Willing to Wait for God’s Way

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Many of us struggle when it comes to disciplining ourselves-there are so many things we want NOW. To make matters worse, we usually have the ability to follow through on our desires. That’s what the credit card industry is about: Have it now; pay later. Finances aren’t the only area we can get into trouble. Being in a hurry to get married can lead to an unwise choice of a spouse. Why do you think the Lord wants us to wait? One reason is to protect us from our own self-destructive ways. Those who can’t say no to their own desires end up enslaved to them. God wants us to be mature believers who have the character and self-restraint to wait for Him to provide in His perfect time. Because the heavenly Father is omniscient, He alone knows what’s best. You can trust that if He asks you to wait, He has something more wonderful in mind than you could ever provide for yourself. Does anything seem to have power over you? If so, it may be an area that requires the practice of self-restraint. Yield to the Lord and submit your desires to Him. Then, begin saying no to temptations as you wait for God to reveal His perfect plans.

Commentary from the In Touch Devotional by In Touch Ministries, March 21, 2024.

The Price of Prayerlessness

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God wants us to talk with Him, and Matthew 7:7-8 is an invitation to speak with Him about anything. Jesus said if we have a need, we’re to ask; if we seek answers, we’ll find them; if we want opportunities to open up, He will respond when we knock. Even so, many of us don’t spend as much time in prayer as we should. Forsaking prayer can be costly. Certain situations take an emotional, physical, and/or spiritual toll – we call these burdens. They can wear us out if we attempt to endure them alone. But God doesn’t intend for that weight to fall on our shoulders. In fact, the Bible tells us to cast those loads on the Lord, who sustains us and “daily bears our burden” (Psalm 55:22; 68:19). Hauling all our worries and cares around is exhausting because we are not built for such loads. In God’s design, His strength fills the believer to capacity. Picture Jesus’ shoulders just above your own – with Him bearing your problems. The burden may not disappear, but it feels blessedly lighter when you allow Him to help you.

Commentary from the In Touch Devotional, from In Touch Ministries, March 19, 2024.

The Damage of Prayerlessness

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Jesus often slipped away to spend quiet moments with His Father. If the Son of God needed prayer time, then we surely can’t live well without it. When we are drained spiritually, emotionally, or physically, we become susceptible to discouragement. A believer immersed in prayer and Scripture reading will find security in God’s power and presence. Keeping the Lord at the center of our focus, coupled with regular Bible reading and prayer, builds confidence. But someone who questions His faithfulness will seek refuge everywhere except in those disciplines. Forsaking prayer causes a downward slide – but the direction can be reversed at any time. It’s simple: Confess your prayerlessness, and then make a priority of regular quiet time with God. In those moments of communion, He will make burdens light, offer encouragement, and fill you with confidence.

Commentary from the In Touch Devotional by In Touch Ministries, March 20, 2024.

Why God Closes Doors

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Another reason why God may close a door is to temporarily hold shut an opportunity for service until a believer is properly equipped for kingdom work. Despite the repeated references to “closed doors” over the past several posts, the real message is that God opens doors. He has created a perfect pathway for us to follow. Keep your feet on it, and you will walk over thresholds leading to service, satisfaction, and glory for the Lord.

Commentary from the In Touch Devotional by In Touch Ministries, February 10, 2024.

Why God Closes Doors

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Another reason why God closes doors is to test faith and build perseverance. Waiting for the Lord to speak or act is hard. But we’ll learn wisdom, patience, and trust by pausing prayerfully until He reveals His will.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by In Touch Ministries, February 10, 2024.

Why God Closes Doors

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Redirecting our walk is another reason why God might block our way. Sometimes God has a different opportunity in mind – one that will yield bigger fruit, more contentment, and greater impact for the kingdom.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by In Touch Ministries, February 10, 2024.

Why God Closes Doors

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One reason why God may close a door or block our way is to prevent mistakes. Just because a path is clear doesn’t mean it’s the one God wants us to follow. Sometimes we won’t have the information we need to make a wise decision, so He bars the way either spiritually or physically. The Holy Spirit can see the whole road map for our life, which is why we are to follow His guidance.

Commentary from the In Touch Devotional by In Touch Ministries, February 10, 2024.