The bible clearly says in Genesis 2:18 that "it is not good for man to be alone." The Hebrew word used in this verse is "bad" (yeah I know...it's not a typo!) which speaks of "being separated" or "apart from". These definitions produce the word picture of a tree branch that has broken off from the trunk of the tree and falls to ground. The bible also says that we are not to forsake the gathering together of ourselves together (Heb 10:25). This type of separating of ourselves away from people take us away from Body life and prohibits Body ministry. This is not the same as solitude. Solitude is getting away from distractions and spending some time alone with the Lord;not the rejection of people. This could be a specific devotional time or just stealing some time from your busy schedule to be alone with God. This is the difference between loneliness and solitude.

Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us an example of this principle of solitude. In Mark 1:35 the bible says:

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."

Sometimes your time of solitude can be a planned morning devotional time. I believe that this is ideal. They say that every good day begins with a good morning...I agree. There is something very powerful about starting your day in the presence of God. Solitude and prayer are needed to prepare one's spirit for the trials, tribulations, and joys of the day.

There are other times when solitude is good for you. The Bible gives us this example:

Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Jesus got away from it all and prayed. Sometimes solitude is needed to hear God clearly and precisely. The author Richard J. Foster put it this way, "In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds." We need to cut out the noise and "hustle and bustle" of the world and tune in to God.

Let me give you yet another example of a time of solitude from the life of Christ. In the 6th chapter of Luke, Jesus proclaimed to the Pharisees that He was the Lord of the Sabbath. He then entered into a synagogue and healed a man with a withered hand...on the Sabbath no less! Verse 11 says that the Pharisees were "filled with madness and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." But it is the next two verses that give us an insight into the need for solitude.

Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

There will come a time in the life of every christian that very important decisions must be made. The bible clearly say that in the multitude of counselors there is safety (Pro 11:14; 24:6) but the time will arise when important decisions must be made by you and your only counselor will be the living God (Isa 9:6). Some decisions are so vital that God alone must be the one in which you bounce things off of. It was at this very time that Jesus now had to choose 12 men from among the multitude. This was an important decision; for these 12 men would turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). We need to get alone with God prior to making important decisions so that we do not make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances.

We usually hear a lot about "open doors". People pray and fast for God to open doors for them--which is right; but do we understand what they are and why God opens doors for us. Ultimately, everything we do must conform to the will of God. Doors are only opened by God when He has finished preparing you and finished preparing what is on the other side of that door.

The bible says in Rev 3:8 "...behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it..." When these two words (open door) are used together in the Word it metaphorically means "to give access or to present an opportunity". Open doors allow entry for the people of God to step into greater opportuinities for ministry or personal growth. Open doors can also mark the entry into another season. Open doors can also bring a closer access to the presence and person of God (Acts 14:27).

Back to Rev 3:8--Doors that are opened by God are kept open by God, not by human endeavour. This verse also give the reason why God has opened the door "for thou...hast kept my word, and has not denied my name". There are prerequisites that must be met by God's people prior to Him opening the doors that He has prepared. Keeping His word and not denying His name equates to living for God and keeping the faith. It means that you have to wait a while but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength (Isa 40:31).

In 2nd Cor 2:12, the Apostle Paul is speaking about when he came to the city of Troas. He said that "Now when I arrived at Troas [to preach] the good news, (the Gospel) of Christ, a door of opportunity was opened for me in the Lord". There are times when God opens a door to allow for the sending forth of His word which is directly proportioned to an increase in our ministry. God is passionate about the salvation of souls (1st Tim 2:12). This is done through preaching, which is conducted by people called by God (Rom 10: 13-15). This is without a doubt the number one reason for the Lord to open doors...for His glory...and to meet His purposes. We would be wise to remember that.

Lastly, let's take a look at 1st Cor 16:9. Paul said "...a wide door of opportunity for effectual [service] has opened to me [there, a great and promising one], and [there are] manyadversaries". This verse shows the duality of the open door of the Lord. On the one hand, it is a great opportunity for the increase of gospel preaching and in the progression of our ministries. But, on the other hand, we must remember that our advesary the devil roams about as a roaring lion (1st Pet 5:8). The Lord knows what is awaiting us on the other side of the door (Rom 8:28) but often we don't (1st Cor 13:9). We must be prepared for not just the joys but also the agonies of walking through open doors. Are you prepared to walk through any door that the Lord is preparing to open for you?