July 28, 2023 8:00 pm
Green Bank, West Virginia, is a tiny community in the rugged US Appalachian Mountains of the USA. The town resembles dozens of other small towns in the area—with one major exception. None of the 142 residents have access to the internet. This total disconnect isn’t a technology boycott or a desire to get back to a simpler lifestyle. The absence of Wi-Fi access or cellular phone towers is because of the Green Bank Observatory, whose telescope is constantly trained on the sky. To prevent interference with the leading-edge technology of the observatory, local officials do not allow citizens to use high-tech communication devices. As a result, Green Bank is one of the most technologically quiet places in North America.
Sometimes quiet is the best environment for moving forward—especially in our relationship with God. Jesus Himself modeled this by retreating to quiet, secluded places to talk with His Father. In Luke 5:16 we read, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Perhaps the key word there is often. This was Christ’s regular practice, and it sets the perfect example for us. If the Creator of the universe was this aware of His dependence upon His Father, how much more do we need Him!
Retreating to a quiet place to be refreshed in God’s presence equips us to go forward in His renewing strength. Where can you find such a place today?
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. I'm Bill Crowder and I titled today's reading, Quiet, Please. Green Bank, West Virginia, is a tiny community in the rugged Appalachian Mountains. The town resembles dozens of other small towns in the area, with one major exception.
None of the 142 residents have access to Wi-Fi. This is to prevent interference from Wi-Fi or cellular phone towers near the Green Bank Observatory, whose telescope is constantly trained on the sky. As a result, Green Bank is one of the most technologically quiet places in North America. Sometimes quiet is the best environment for moving forward, especially in our relationship with God. Jesus himself modeled this by retreating to quiet, secluded places to talk with his father. In Luke 5 16, we read, Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Perhaps the key word there is often. This was Christ's regular practice and it sets the perfect example for us. If the creator of the universe was this aware of his dependence upon his father, how much more do we need him? Retreating to a quiet place to be refreshed in God's presence equips us to go forward in his renewing strength.
Where can you find such a place today? Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Luke Chapter five, verses 12 through 16. While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
I am willing. He said, be clean. And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, Don't tell anyone, but go show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony to them.
Yet the news about him spread all the more so that the crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Let's pray. Father, sometimes the background noise of life in this world is deafening, pulling our attention away from you and hindering the time with you. Help us find a place where we can come away from it all and simply enjoy your wonderful presence. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Bill Crowder, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2023-07-28 20:19:41 / 2023-07-28 20:21:08 / 1
