Rev. Brent L. White

The title of this devotional is provocative, but I mean it: Our Father wants to give us "good things," as Jesus says. The problem is, we often desperately want isn't good for us. God knows that, even if we don't!As I say in this podcast, however, there is one prayer petition that God will answer every time. Let's learn to pray for that!Today's scripture is Matthew 7:7-11.

It's become a truism among many Christians that "listening for God" in prayer is at least as important as "talking to" God in prayer. But what if that's not true? What if prayer doesn't involve "listening" at all? If that's the case, then prayer suddenly seems much easier, doesn't it?Of course listening to God speak to us is incredibly important, but, as I argue in this podcast, the way we do that is not through prayer but through reading God's Word.

This is the second in my new series of devotional podcasts, which I've titled "Still Life." In today's episode, I tackle two big subjects: witnessing and God's sovereignty. Our scripture is Romans 8:28.Today's featured music is Leslie Phillips's "No One but You," from her 1988 compilation album, Recollection.

Today I'm beginning a new series of devotional podcasts, the first of which is about how difficult prayer can often be. How can it become less difficult? This episode explores that question. Our scripture is Lamentations 2:19.

In today's scripture, Luke 1:39-56, Mary visits her relative Elizabeth and finds her pregnant, thus confirming the angel Gabriel's message to her in last Sunday's scripture. She exclaims, "My soul magnifies the Lord."In the same way, we need to teach our soul to "magnify the Lord." Too often, however, we Christians magnify our problems instead. As I point out in this sermon, our God is so much bigger than any problem we're facing.

Today's sermon investigates three different responses to the news of the newborn king: from King Herod, from the scribes and chief priests, and from the magi. At different times, our own responses to Christ our king may be similar to each of these. How can we become more like the magi?Today's scripture is Matthew 2:1-12.

Of all the amazing that God does throughout the events of the Christmas story, the most amazing thing—indeed, the most difficult—is that God provided a way for all of humanity to be saved through faith in Christ. As I say in this sermon, Jesus was born so that he could die.Scripture for this sermon is Luke 2:1-20.

Today's scripture, the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18:1-8, is about more than the need to be persistent in prayer. It's also about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ—and how we can be ready for it.

This is my sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent. I'm working through Luke chapter 1. In this sermon I contrast Mary's response to Gabriel with Zechariah's response. When it comes to treasuring God and his Word, are we more like Mary or Zechariah?My scripture is Luke 1:26-38.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

I'm catching up on posting my sermons! Today's comes from Luke 1:5-25, the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. What a blessing it must have been for the two of them to be used by God as part of his saving plan for the world! But please notice something: God's blessings sometimes hurt. And when they do, it isn't a sign that God is punishing you or is angry with you.What do we do when God's blessings hurt?I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

Merry Christmas! It's Day 23, the final day, of my series of Advent-themed podcasts. Scripture is Luke 2:13-14.The featured song is Brian Wilson's Love and Mercy, from his 1988 self-titled solo album.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 22 of my Advent-themed series of podcasts. In this episode, I reflect on the Star of Bethlehem, and what this says about God's passion for reaching the lost. Do we share this passion? Today's scripture is Matthew 2:1-12.The featured song is Jon Anderson's version of "O Holy Night," from his 1985 Christmas album 3 Ships.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 21 of my series of Advent-themed podcasts. In this episode, I tease out the meaning of the angels' words to the shepherds in Luke 2:13-14.The featured song is the Vince Guaraldi Trio's rearrangement of "The Little Drummer Boy," called "My Little Drum." It comes from the 1965 soundtrack LP A Charlie Brown Christmas.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 20 of my Advent-themed podcast series. Today I talk about the movie It's a Wonderful Life and Mary's words to Elizabeth, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."Featured music includes Brian Wilson's song "Wonderful," from Brian Wilson Presents Smile, from 2004.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 19 of my Advent-themed series of podcast devotionals. In today's podcast, I talk about the symbolic significance of the winter solstice—which is today—along with growing up in the '80s. Our scripture is John 1:1-5.The featured song is Jethro Tull's joyous "Ring Out, Solstice Bells" from their 1977 album, Songs from the Wood.If you prayed the prayer that I prayed at the end of the podcast, please let me know, if possible. Click here to go to my email address.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 18 of my Advent-themed series of podcasts. I'll be podcasting a short devotional each day between now and Christmas. Today's scripture is Matthew 1:21.Today's featured song is the Vince Guaraldi Trio's version of "What Child Is This?" from A Charlie Brown Christmas.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 17 of my Advent-themed podcast. I'll be podcasting a short devotional each day between now and Christmas. Today's scripture comes from Luke 1:51-53.The featured song is Steeleye Span's version of "Gaudete," a 15th- or 16th-century Christmas carol—in Latin, no less. Believe it or not, the band had a Top 15 hit in Britain with this song in 1972. It comes from their album Below the Salt.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 16 of my Advent-themed podcast. I'll be podcasting a short devotional each day between now and Christmas. Today's scripture comes from Luke 1:46-49.The featured song is Big Star's "Jesus Christ," an update of "Angels from the Realms of Glory." It comes from the band's 1974 album (unreleased until 1978), Third.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 15 of my Advent-themed podcast series. I'll be podcasting a short devotional each day between now and Christmas. Today's scripture comes from Matthew 2:1-2, 7-10.The featured song is the Beach Boys' version of "We Three Kings," from their 1964 LP The Beach Boys' Christmas Album. As you can hear, I'm taking this directly from glorious vinyl.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.

This is Day 14 of my Advent-themed podcast series. I'll be posting a short devotional here every day between now and Christmas. Today's scripture is Matthew 2:3-6.Featured music is Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band's version of "See, Amid the Winter's Snow," which is found on their 2012 album The Best of Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band: A Christmas Caper.I blog regularly at revbrentwhite.com.