A people who provoke me to my face continually… These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day. Isaiah 65:3, 5 Clearly there is a kind of religion that God does not like. It is not pleasing to Him; it actually provokes Him! Isaiah identifies several forms of religion that are offensive to God. Hypocritical religion: “A rebellious p…

Today, we continue our journey in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, exploring the message of "The Son of God." Pastor Colin shares how the Holy Spirit—referred to in various names such as the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of Truth—dwells within us and transforms our lives from the inside out. It's a powerful reminder that Christ in us …

I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices. Isaiah 65:2 The rebellious people described here in verse 2 are different from the people who did not ask for or seek God in verse 1. We know that because in the New Testament Paul quotes these verses and tells us that they ref…

In today's broadcast, Pastor Colin delves deep into the topic of caring for our souls, introducing us to the concept of 'Four Friends for the Soul.' Inspired by the works of Andrew Gray, a remarkable preacher who left a great legacy at a young age, we explore these four vital companions for a Christian journey: the Son of God, the Word of God, the …

I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name. Isaiah 65:1 What do you think God would have to say to people who don’t ask for Him and don’t seek after Him? You might expect Him to say: “There are many people …

In this episode, Pastor Colin delves into the importance of guarding your heart, as we explore the wisdom found in Proverbs 4:23, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." We'll discover practical steps on how to watch, investigate, confess, commit, and trust in the quest to maintain a healthy spiritual heart. From…

I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name. Isaiah 65:1 Notice who Isaiah is describing here—people who do not ask for or seek God. We might call these secular people today. In Isaiah’s time, this group of …

Welcome to another episode of "Open The Bible" with Pastor Colin Smith, hosted by David Pick. Today's discussion centres around a crucial teaching from the Book of Proverbs on the importance of guarding your heart. But what does that mean? Why is it so important? And most significantly, how do we actually go about doing what God calls us to do? Dra…

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down… Isaiah 64:1 Here is prayer that you could pray: O, that You would rend the heavens and come down. Come down and make Your name known. Even among your own people many have such a vague grasp of Your glory. To many You seem distant. Let us see with fresh clarity, who You really are. By Your Holy Spiri…

O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 Why would God listen to an unclean, unrighteous, dried out, and unstable person? Isaiah gives us two reasons here in Isaiah 64: First, plead the relationship you have with God (your Father): Notice Isaiah appeals to the covenant relati…

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6 When you pray, you will feel your unworthiness. We all do. Coming into a holy place makes you feel how unholy you are. Isaiah knew about this too, and he describes …

Welcome to this enlightening instalment of Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. In today's broadcast, we delve into the complex topic of cultural distortions within Christianity, particularly the notion that a mere affirmation of being on a 'spiritual journey' is sufficient for salvation. Pastor Colin continues to explore what it genuinely means…

I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. Isaiah 63:7 How do you prepare to pray? One way is to fill your mind with the goo…

Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. In today's episode, we delve into perhaps the most anticipated message of our entire series: "Saving Your Soul". Pastor Colin explores the invaluable worth of your soul and how it can be saved according to the Bible. This message is tailored for everyone, as it directly concerns the essence of your…

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence-as when ire kindles brushwood and the ire causes water to boil-to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! Isaiah 64:1-2 When Isaiah asks God to "come down and make your name known", he is asking fo…

Today, we're delving into the profound and essential topic of your soul's worth. Pastor Colin unpacks why caring for your soul should be a priority over everything else, explaining the eternal impact of neglecting this vital aspect of our being. We're starting with a thought-provoking discussion on how modern culture often values physical wellness …

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down ... to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! Isaiah 64:1-2 God’s name is a way of speaking about His character. So, when Isaiah prays that God would “come down… to make your name known,” what he is asking is that God would “come down and let us…

Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. Today we're diving into a fascinating topic: our souls. In today's discussion, we'll explore what the soul truly is, why it is of supreme value, and how to care for it. Pastor Colin will lead us through various Scriptures, starting with Mark 8, to understand more about the eternal nature of our sou…

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence. Isaiah 64:1 Isaiah’s prayer was formed by the Bible and by his own experience. Isaiah knew from the Bible that God’s presence had come down to Mount Sinai, and when that happened, the whole mountain shook (Ex. 19:17-19). But this wasn’t just history t…

Pastor Colin delves deeply into concepts of heaven, hell, and Christ's profound love and sacrifice. He explains the Christian understanding of Jesus entering hell so that we might never have to experience it. Pastor Colin shares the astonishing demonstration of God's love for us through Jesus' journey to the cross. Moreover, we explore the book of …

“Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22 Would you consider making it your goal this year to grow in the areas of faith and prayer? That may sound like two goals, but it is really one. For where faith grows, prayer follows. The greater our confidence in God, the more we will ask of Him. Our prayers are the cl…

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down... Isaiah 64:1 The Bible records some marvellous prayers and Isaiah 64 is one of the greatest. It is a prayer for revival and because it is in the Bible, we know it was breathed out by the Holy Spirit of God. It is often said that the best way of learning prayer is to pray with other people. There is…

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the aflicted. then shall your light rise in the darkness.” Isaiah 58:10 There is a story of a monk who had given himself to prayer. All his life, he longed that just once, Christ would appear to him. He had prayed this for years, and then one day it happened. The monk was praying, a…

In today’s message titled "Restore Worship", taken from our series "Restore My Soul", we will explore the last verses of Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the miseries of Hell, the joy of Heaven, and how both of these realities should shape our worship and lives today. As we navigate through Isaiah's words, we are invited to consider our own journey, th…

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant. Philippians 2:4-7 God’s purpose in sending His S…

Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, where we explore the power and message of the gospel and its impact on our daily lives. Are actions alone enough to communicate the gospel, or do we need to speak it too? Join us as we delve into this topic and more, continuing our enlightening series Restore My Soul. In today's broadcast, Pastor C…

The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. Isaiah 59:15-16 Do you see what Isaiah is saying? God is going to fight for our salvation. He comes to us and He stands with us as …

In today's broadcast, we delve into a fascinating conversation about worship and mission, exploring how they intertwine and fuel each other in a church's life. Whether you're a church leader, a member of a congregation, or simply curious about the connection between a church's dedication to worship and its commitment to outreach, this episode will …

Justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. Isaiah 59:9 What hope is there for believers who have neglected justice? The answer is God: “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear” (59:1). B…

We delve into the curious concept that religious places, including evangelical churches, can be spaces where people inadvertently hide from God. Pastor Colin goes on to explain how even amid ritual and routine, God recognises those who are concealing themselves within the congregation. We take an insightful journey through Isaiah Chapter 65, where …

The LORD saw… that there was no justice. Isaiah 59:15 Isaiah 59 paints an astonishing picture of the world in his day and of our culture today, using three broad brushstrokes. 1. Truth. “Truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking” (59:14–15). Isn’t that right where we are? Our whole culture has been tak…

Pastor Colin tackles a surprisingly comforting truth: even those who don't seek or even acknowledge God are not overlooked by Him. Contrary to what some might think, God actively reaches out to the indifferent, the non-believers, and the secular hearts in our world. With a deep dive into Isaiah chapter 65, we explore the nature of God's compassion …

“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8 See what happens when God’s people get a fresh vision for justice: “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedi…

“Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, a…

“Declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1 God says to Isaiah, “Declare to my people…” (58:1). Notice what God says about His own people and see if you think this describes Christians today. These people were diligent about their personal relationship with God, serious about worship and serious about s…

Facing a sense of personal unworthiness can be a barrier to prayer for many. As we delve into Isaiah's heartfelt appeal to God, Pastor Colin addresses the critical topic of prayer despite feeling unclean, unrighteous, dried out, and unstable. It's a lesson in understanding that our approach to God relies on grace, not our merits. In today's broadca…

Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 Repentance begins with a sense of God’s mercy. The natural inclination of your sinful heart will always be to run and hide from God, but when you are persuaded of God’s mercy, you will gather the …

Delve into the fascinating topic of prayer; something many of us find challenging. We'll be encouraged to discover that prayer is something we can learn and improve upon. Pastor Colin takes us through the prayer life of Isaiah the Prophet and examines how he approached God, what he asked for, and what we can learn from this one significant prayer. …

“Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him.” Isaiah 57:17–18 How does God make a stubborn heart contrite? The stubborn heart is not changed by judgemen…

We delve into the profound concept of the Jubilee, the year of the Lord's favour, as proclaimed by Jesus Christ himself. Discover the compassionate laws intended for the Old Testament people and how Jesus embodies the fulfilment of what was never enacted throughout history. Join us as Pastor Colin shares the significance of the Jubilee, touching on…

“I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.” Ezekiel 36:26–27 We need to pray for repentance. But you may be asking, “Isn’t repentance something God tells us to do?”…

We explore a fascinating aspect of God's law that, despite its profound compassion for the poor, has never been enacted in history. Join us as we unpack the reasons behind this and discover the person anointed to finally bring this divine proclamation to fruition. In the programme, Pastor Colin takes us through a powerful message titled "Restore Ho…

You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, “It is hopeless”; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint. Isaiah 57:10 Isaiah is describing the stubborn heart. If you are battling an addiction, or you love someone who is, you know exactly what Isaiah is talking about here. You know this is killing you, bu…

In today's episode, we delve into a deeply relevant discussion on truth, justice, and how society is grappling with these concepts in a post-modern era. As Pastor Colin navigates through Isaiah chapters 58 and 59, he invites us to contemplate the poignant imagery of God donning the armour of salvation—armour that Christ wore for us and that we, as …

“Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.” Isaiah 57:17 The natural inclination of the human heart is not to come to God, but to hide from Him. That goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden, where you find God coming into the garden …

“I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15 Look at what God is saying and try to take it in: “I dwell… with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit” (57:15). God dwells with the person who is contrite. Contr…

“I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit.” Isaiah 57:15 In the year 722 BC, right in the middle of Isaiah’s ministry, the northern kingdom was overrun by the Assyrian army. The people were deported, forcibly relocated to foreign lands, and they would never see Jerusalem again. Then 150 years later…

We delve into the heartfelt cries of believers who, despite their devout worship, prayer, Bible reading, and fasting, find themselves frustrated with God. They're left wondering why they're grappling with unanswered prayers and trouble befalling their nation. We'll explore the profound message of Isaiah, chapter 58, and the vital concepts of truth,…

Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place…” Isaiah 57:15 God is present everywhere-but where can you find Him? One place is in heaven: God says, “I dwell in the high and holy place." If you could ascend to heaven, you would find God there. God’s people in Old Testamen…

Pastor Colin challenges common misconceptions about revival as he unfolds the true biblical meaning of a contrite heart and a genuine encounter with the Spirit of God. Learn about the kindness that leads to repentance and the divine process of restoration that can bring new life, peace, joy, and hope into our being. Join us as we delve into Isaiah …