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 …

“Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live… Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:2–3, 7 T…

Have you ever felt a sense of distance from God, as if your faith has gone cold and your heart's leaning towards spiritual barrenness? Well, you're not alone, and today's message aims to gently guide you back to a place where you can polish off the slate and rekindle that warm, near presence of God once more. Pastor Colin delves into Isaiah Chapter…

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price… Seek the LORD while he may be found.” Isaiah 55:1, 6 Seven hundred years after Isaiah, our Lord Jesus took up these words: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37). This is somethi…

Today, we unravel the comforting truth that through sorrow, we may very well discover the backdoor to joy—an experience that intertwines with our spiritual growth and our deeper longing to be like Jesus. Through Isaiah chapters 54 and 55, Pastor Colin reveals that in times of despair, when happiness seems unattainable, there lies a profound opportu…

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!” Isaiah 55:1 The ones who find joy in God are the people who have discovered a deep thirst in their own souls: “Come, everyone who thirsts” (55:1), and those who feel that they are bankrupt: “Come… he who has no money” (55:1). They realise they don’t have w…

Today's episode focuses on finding joy amidst our most challenging experiences – a theme that resonates with many. Pastor Colin delves into Isaiah chapters 54 and 55, painting vivid scenes of human sorrow: the barren woman, the deserted wife, and the afflicted city reeling from storms. Yet, in these images of despair, Isaiah identifies an unexpecte…

"O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones.” Isaiah 54:11–12 The ruined city is being rebuilt, not with brick and mortar, but with sapphires and precious ston…

“You shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 You might expect that the barren woman, the deserted wife and the people who live in the ruined city are the unhappiest people in the world. But Isaiah sees j…

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord. Isaiah 54:10 Isaiah 54 paints three scenes of sorrow in verses 1, 6, and 11. The choice of these scenes is significant because our natural inclination is to seek happiness in three p…

Welcome to today's broadcast of Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. Today's message, "Restore Faith", is part of the series Restore My Soul, and dives into the practice of internalising the truth of God's Word among the lies of the world. In this episode, Pastor Colin discusses the crucial habit that every Christian needs to develop—preaching t…

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame. Hebrews 12:2 The desire for joy is universal. One thing that unites us all is that we want to be happy. The famous mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal said, “All men seek happiness. This is without exceptio…

In today's broadcast, we delve into our existence as eternal beings through Christ's sacrifice! For those of you in Christ, think how seemingly enduring sufferings of this world pale in comparison to the joyous eternity that awaits you. This perspective is not just comforting; it's transformative. Pastor Colin will lead us today in the first of our…

“I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:4-5 If you look at the story of Joseph through the frame of unbelief, it is a catalogue of disasters: 1. He was born into a dysfunctional family, where his bro…

"Is assurance confidence before God not presumptuous"? This is a vital question that many who believe in Jesus wrestle with as they navigate their faith. Can one truly have assurance without seeming presumptuous? How can sinners be confident before a righteous God? This broadcast delves into these deep spiritual waters with clarity and compassion. …

They still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” John 12:37-38 When a picture is put in a new frame, that same picture can look entirely different. Before it was placed in the new frame, you barely n…

for those lamenting the fragility of their faith, today's broadcast promises to be a beacon of hope. Pastor Colin shares some comforting insights - if you ever feel alone in your doubts, remember, you are in good company. Reflect on the disciples' journeys, their doubts and the patient, guiding hand of Jesus. In our exploration of Romans Chapter 5,…

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:5-6 The psalmist models for us what it looks like to address our own souls. Notice, he does not simply listen to his own feelings and thoughts, he speaks to himself. He asks himself questions, and he e…

In today's broadcast, we learn that our earthly journey towards obedience and holiness is a reflection of the divine destiny that awaits in heaven. Pastor Colin illuminates the powerful connection between faith and obedience, emphasising that genuine faith inherently propels us towards a life led in step with God's will. In a world punctuated by th…

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? Isaiah 53:1 Who believes the gospel message? That is Isaiah’s question: “Who has believed what he has heard from us?” He’s asking God’s people, those who are known by God’s name. Then he asks a second question: “To whom has the arm of the LORD been reveal…

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied. Isaiah 53:11 You are an eternal being. And if you have faith in Jesus Christ, the suffering you know in this world is the only suffering you will ever know in your entire life. Think about your eternity. What part is 10, 20, or 30 years in the light of eternity? Isaiah is telling us that…

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed Isaiah 53:5 What kind of heaven would it be if there were no cancer, but there was still human trafficking? What kind of hope would it be to have no death, but still to have sexual abus…

In today's broadcast, Pastor Colin addresses two prevalent misconceptions that many believers confront. On one hand, there are those who, after deciding to follow Jesus, might live recklessly, underestimating the importance of their actions. On the other hand, some are burdened by the weight of repeated failures and a feeling of unworthiness. But t…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3 How does God restore your soul? By leading you to Jesus Christ. This is what He was doing through the ministry of Isaiah 700 years before the birth of Jesus, and this is what He wants to do in your li…

We're excited to delve into the richness of prayer together with you today. Pastor Colin offers a vivid picture—prayer as a means to unearth the buried treasures found within the promises of God. Imagine walking through a field laden with hidden gems beneath your feet, yet never taking a moment to dig. Such is our situation when we neglect the powe…

“This people draw near with their mouth and honour me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.” Isaiah 29:13 The London underground system is a marvellous way of getting around the city. However, some of the station platforms are on a curve, which means that there is a gap between the edge of the platform and the side of the train. If y…

What does it mean to pray with faith? Pastor Colin illuminates this by exploring the duality of faith-filled prayer. He explains that when God's will is known, we can pray with confidence, but in uncertain situations, we must pray with a heart of submission. Through the story of Elijah and the scriptures in James chapter 5, we learn that praying wi…

You are not your own. for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 corinthians 6:19-20 Knowing that you will one day be raised and given a resurrection body, how should you live in your present body? Recognise that you are wholly owned by Jesus Christ. Christ has the right to determine where you live and what you do. He bought y…

Are you under the impression that Christianity is all about a dull life filled with duties and rules? Let's shift that perspective together! In Romans chapter 4, verses 17 to 21, we delve into the message "Declaring the Praise of Christ" and discover how faith is so much more than simply fulfilling obligations. Faith is about recognition of our own…

The resurrection body will be imperishable and glorious. How else will it be different from our present bodies? Your body will be powerful: “It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power” (1 Cor. 15:43). Donald Macleod says that the resurrection body is going to have more energy, more stamina, more athleticism, more speed, more coordination, and mo…

Faith, as Pastor Colin beautifully illustrates, is not merely a positive outlook or self-confidence, It's a lived experience of trust and reliance on God, especially when faced with the impossible. Abraham and Sarah's story exemplifies faith, offering us a timeless lesson that true faith begins with acknowledging our own limitations and looking to …

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 1 corinthians 15:51-52 The transformation of the body you have now into the body you will have will be instantaneous. What do we know about …

Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior. the Lord Jesus Christ. who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 The human body is lowly. The human body, at its strongest, is still fragile. Even if you are really fit, and you …

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the irstfruits of the Spirit. groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons. the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Romans 8:22-24 All religions have some belief in li…

In today's episode, we delve into the The Lord's Supper (Communion), exploring the question: Where is the meal in this humble supper of wafer (bread) and wine? What does it mean to truly 'feed' on Christ? How do we engage in the nourishment of our souls through such a minimal feast? Pastor Colin guides us through the essence of this ceremony, revea…

The Word became lesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14 God became a man in Christ Jesus. The body of Jesus was like ours. He grew in strength—from a baby, to a child, to a man—and He knew what it was like to be hungry, thirsty, and weary. The first heresy, the first false teaching that the early church had to contend with, was not the denial that Jesus…

Today we delve into an enlightening discussion on the essence of the Christian life—that it is God's work in which we become involved, rather than our work in which He becomes involved. We explore the temptation of focusing on our own deeds to the extent that we might lose sight of the divine workings of God. Pastor Colin Smith brings to light the …

The LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7 God made the body of Adam from the dust of the ground, and then He breathed the breath of life into this body. So, Adam was the union of a body and a soul. This is the reason that the Bible sometim…

Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. Today, Pastor Colin will be exploring a thought-provoking definition of sin as being 'bent in on oneself'. With the illuminating guidance of the Scriptures and the insightful reflections of historical figures like Augustine, we'll consider how sin distorts our human condition, causing us to focus i…

"It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega. the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." Revelation 21:6 Here are two things to reconsider in the light of heaven: First, if you are holding back from full commitment to Jesus: However hard it is for you to come to Christ in repentance, ho…

In Galatians Chapter 5, verse 6, we read that faith's true essence is revealed through actions of love rather than faith alone. But why is this distinction so vital? Pastor Colin explores the significance of faith that manifests itself through love, emphasizing that without love, faith is simply not authentic. We'll discover that Christ-like faith …

I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2 There will be no marriage in heaven (Matt. 22:30), but we will still be male and female, because that is how God created us and it was good. The gift of marriage was given to point to something greater that God has in…

In this broadcast, Pastor Colin delves into the importance of actively engaging with the scripture as it's the fundamental means by which God communicates with us. At the heart of the preaching ministry is the firm belief that God blesses His own words, not ours. As followers of Christ, we're encouraged to come to the Bible expectantly, ready to be…

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with ire and sulfur. which is the second death." Revelation 21:8 Precisely when God is telling us about the new heaven and new earth, He also tells us that He will separat…

"Neither shall there be mourning. nor crying. nor pain anymore. for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4 You will not spend eternity grieving over your past sins and missed opportunities. We will never forget that we were sinners because we will always be finding joy in the Lamb who was slain, the Son of God who redeemed us by the s…

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4 Notice what will be gone, subtracted, taken away in heaven. All these things—death, mourning, and pain—are passing away. You will not find or experience th…

Today, Pastor Colin illuminates the importance of how we listen to God's Word, proposing that the manner in which we engage with scripture is reflective of our relationship with God. Whether we listen passively, defensively or eagerly, it makes a world of difference. It's not just about knowing God, but being aware of our changing attitudes towards…

"Behold, I am making all things new." Revelation 21:5 Life in the new heaven and new earth will not be less than the life you have now. It will be more! The word "new" can be used in two ways. The first is to say, “I’m moving to a new house.” You are in a different place, and there is no continuity between your old house and your new house. The sec…

Today we're delving into a subject that many of us might think we already know well—the gospel, our faith, and our relationship with Jesus Christ. Yet, Pastor Colin will challenge us to look beyond mere familiarity and explore the true depths and implications of our faith. Is it possible that in knowing all about the gospel, we may actually have mi…