Open the Bible UK Broadcast

Today we explore the balance between the fear and love of God, revealing how interconnected they truly are. Join us as we dispel the myth of an Old Testament God of fear and a New Testament God of love, highlighting the constant nature of God across both Testaments.

Pastor Colin challenges our perceptions by emphasising that the fear of God is not an enemy but a friend that complements our love for Him. Dive into the wisdom of Jeremiah 32 as Colin uncovers the splendour of God's glory, the reality of His judgement, and the wonder of His...

Do you ever feel like giving up? In today's episode, Pastor Colin Smith wraps up the series titled "I Almost Gave Up," centred on the story of Asaph from Psalm 73. Pastor Colin shares insights on how Asaph, one of the most godly leaders in the Old Testament, faced moments of doubt but was upheld by God's unwavering grace. It's a moving reminder that while our human strength may falter, God's enduring grace will never let His children go.

Delve into the testimony of a pastor named Joe, who encountered profound trials and nearly abandoned his faith but...

We're diving into the final instalment of our series on Asaph, reflecting on how God turned his life around amid a crisis of faith.

In this episode, Pastor Colin explores the journey of Asaph, illustrating the steps of a five-point turn: stop, think, confess, believe, and finally, commit. It's a remarkable journey that shows commitment is the natural outflow of faith and God's grace, rather than the other way around.

As we conclude this series, Pastor Colin reminds us that faith is a precious gift from God, not something that results from our personal effort...

Today we are in Psalm 73 and through the story of Asaph, Pastor Colin guides us in understanding what genuine faith truly means. As we navigate the darkest valleys of discouragement, discover how Christ can lead us through tough times and restore our faith with fresh confidence.

Today's message, "Believe", will reassure you that our lives, deeply rooted in God-centred faith, find their ultimate expression in a relationship with Jesus. This episode uncovers poignant truths about aligning ourselves to a life where Jesus remains the focus, both in heaven and on earth.

Are you feel discouraged? In today's broadcast, we're diving into the poignant story of Asaph from Psalm 73. Despite his initial discouragement, Asaph's journey becomes one of incredible transformation. We're focusing on the crucial fourth element of his five-part spiritual turnaround: learning to believe.

Join us as we explore how Asaph moves away from self-absorption and frustration to find solace and strength in God's unwavering trustworthiness. Pastor Colin guides us through Asaph's revelation that true faith isn't dependent on one's ability to trust, but rather on God’s reliability. This message is sure to resonate with anyone feeling we...

Do you regularly confess your sins to God? Tackling the concept of confession, Pastor Colin reveals its necessity in a healthy Christian life, showing us how it exposes what's hidden in our hearts and opens the door to hope.

The message, titled "Confess," explores how sin affects every facet of human nature and why "following your heart" may lead us astray without a guiding truth. Pastor Colin shares insights on why confession isn't about shame but about embracing God's grace.

How is your prayer life? We're diving into the transformative power of prayer in our series, "I Almost Gave Up." In this episode, Pastor Colin encourages us to take an honest look at our prayer life as a measure of our grasp of truth.

We explore the life of Asaph, a worship leader under King David, who faced significant discouragement. Asaph’s journey through confession highlights how even godly people can experience crises of faith. Through examining Psalm 73, we learn how Asaph stopped, thought, and prayed to see his own heart in the light of God’s Word...

In today's broadcast, we are introduced to the topic of prosperity and its spiritual challenges. Although it may seem like we're diving into a conversation about money, the focus is actually much deeper. We're exploring the series "I Almost Gave Up," which delves into the struggles Christians face when overwhelmed and tempted to despair. The story of Asaph, a godly man wrestling with the prosperity of the wicked, serves as a powerful illustration. Despite his faithfulness, Asaph faced doubts when observing that the ungodly appeared to thrive. Pastor Colin encourages listeners to remember God's truth, meet with His people...

Pastor Colin Smith dives deep into Psalm 73, exploring the story of Asaph, a godly man wrestling with confusion and questions about God. Discover how Asaph's journey from confusion to clarity didn't start with prayer but a pivotal shift in thinking, helped by the truths found in worship.

Pastor Colin tackles the often unhelpful advice of "just pray about it" when faced with life's overwhelming dilemmas, offering instead insightful guidance on finding mental clarity through God's truth and the support of His people. Together, we explore the profound impact of being part of a community of faith and...

In today's episode, we're diving into Psalm 73 to explore the theme of spiritual testing and resilience. Pastor Colin reflects on the times when we, like Asaph, may feel overwhelmed and on the brink of giving up. Discover the importance of making a crucial decision to stand firm during these challenging moments, rather than seeking immediate answers. This decision, as Pastor Colin explains, is vital for maintaining our usefulness to Christ and supporting the faith community around us. Tune in as we learn from Asaph's journey and find encouragement in how God leads us through dark times into a deeper...

We're thrilled you've joined us for the start of a brand-new series based on Psalm 73, where we explore the poignant story of Asaph, a godly leader who faced a crisis of faith. Together, we'll journey through Asaph's struggles and discover how God restored his faith and strengthened his resolve. Whether you're feeling discouraged or questioning your path, this series offers hope and a reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness. Join us as we uncover the steps to recovering from life's crises and learn how to persevere in our own journeys.

Pastor Colin guides us through the part of the Lord's Prayer that asks God to lead us not into temptation, but to deliver us from evil. We'll explore how God's grace manifests in various ways, such as common grace that extends kindness to all, special grace for times of trial, and restoring grace when we fail.

Join us in Matthew chapter 6 as we delve into these profound truths and understand how God's grace not only saves but also sustains and restores us. Whether you're new to this journey or looking to deepen your faith, this episode offers...

Today we look at the plea, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Join Pastor Colin as he explores the daily spiritual battle faced by Christians, emphasised through the dual fronts of temptation and external evil.

This broadcast reveals how Jesus's teachings provide a framework for our prayers, urging us to seek divine guidance and protection amidst life's adversities. We are reminded of the power of God's grace in delivering us from evil, a force pervasive in our world since the fall of Adam and Eve.

Whether wrestling with personal temptations or...

In today's episode, Pastor Colin delves into the transformative concept of forgiveness. When we ask God to "forgive us our debts," we are invited to reflect on the astonishing forgiveness He extends and how we, in turn, can forgive others.

Join us as Colin explains the immense cost at which God's forgiveness comes and challenges us to release forgiveness towards those who have wronged us. Discover how embracing forgiveness not only reconciles us with God but also flows through us to impact others around us.

Today, as part of our series "Six Things to Ask of God," we're diving into the familiar phrase: "Forgive us our debts." Join us as we explore why understanding God’s forgiveness towards us is key to forgiving others, even when it seems genuinely challenging. Pastor Colin shares insights on the depth of our indebtedness to God's love and how recognising this can help cultivate a forgiving heart in us. Whether you're grappling with forgiveness or simply eager to deepen your spiritual understanding, this episode offers practical and insightful guidance.

In today's episode, "God's Provision," Pastor Colin takes us on a journey through the Lord's Prayer, focusing on the line "Give us this day our daily bread." This phrase invites us to rely on God's faithfulness and provision while encouraging gratitude for what we have and compassion for others. By recalling God's past blessings, we strengthen our faith and trust for the future. Join us as we explore key biblical passages and uncover the depth of God’s faithfulness, challenging us to live with gratitude and generosity in our hearts. Remember, God's provision is not just for our physical ne...

Why is "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread", an important part of the Lord's Prayer? In this episode, Pastor Colin explores why this prayer is essential, even for those who seem to have everything they need. Through the story of Job and the Israelites, we learn that everything we have can easily be taken away, reminding us of our inherent dependency on God's daily blessings. Pastor Colin also emphasises that gratitude should be a daily practice, reinforcing our faith and trust in God's providence. Tune in to learn how this prayer can liberate your heart and strengthen your...

Today, we continue to explore the profound and comforting message of "God's Will." Join Colin as we delve into how we can understand and embody God's will in our lives, just as it is done in heaven. This episode beautifully unpacks the ways in which angels perform God's will—fully, gladly, and immediately—and how Jesus perfectly exemplified this on earth. We also discuss the challenges and joys of submitting to God's will in our own lives.

In this episode, we're thinking about one of the most profound questions for Christians: What is God's will? Pastor Colin guides us through the complexities of understanding God's will, exploring its different dimensions as mentioned in Scripture—God's secret will, discerned will, and revealed will. With insights from the Bible, particularly from Matthew chapter 26, this discussion aims to bring clarity and practical help in discerning and responding to God's will in our lives. Whether you're navigating life's big decisions or simply curious about aligning with God's purpose, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement to help you on yo...

Join us in thoughtful reflection as we explore the powerful prayer, "Your Kingdom come", from the Lord's Prayer. In this episode, Pastor Colin guides us to understand our role in God's sovereign plan—how we can plant the seed of God’s truth, water it with prayer, but ultimately, the growth comes from God alone.

Dive into Revelation chapter 11, where we discuss the beginning, growth, and the much-anticipated coming of God's Kingdom in all its fullness. Discover how praying for God's Kingdom to come connects us to advancing His work on Earth and how it brings us the...

In today's broadcast, we're exploring the Lord's Prayer, specifically focusing on the petition, "Your kingdom come." Pastor Colin explains what it means for God's kingdom to reign supreme in our chaotic world and within our very hearts. As we traverse through this journey, we'll be looking closely at the book of Revelation and how God's kingdom begins, grows, and will ultimately come. This insightful episode promises to enhance your understanding of living under God’s glorious reign and recognising His sovereignty amidst worldly chaos. If you've missed any episodes, you can revisit our series online. Don’t forget to expl...

Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith! Today, we explore how the Lord’s Prayer can serve as a template to guide our prayers with confidence, knowing we're aligning with God's will. Pastor Colin shares how each petition in the prayer offers a way to honour God and seek His direction in our lives. Through a personal example, we explore the practicality of each petition as a 'peg' for our prayers.

This episode unveils the depths of the first petition, ‘God’s Name’, and encourages us to live lives that honour God, resonating with the love and...

In this broadcast, Pastor Colin introduces us to a new series, "Six Things to Ask of God," focusing on the transformative power of prayer. Through an engaging exploration of the Lord's Prayer, Colin invites us to learn how to pray as Jesus taught, making our prayer lives more meaningful and effective.

In this episode, "God's Name," we delve into the first petition of the Lord's Prayer: "Hallowed be your name." Pastor Colin discusses the heavenly versus earthly realities of God's name being honoured and leads us to grasp the profound importance of aligning our prayers with heavenly...

Today, we unravel the deeper layers of the Tenth Commandment and how it radically changed the Apostle Paul's life. Many of us know the commandment "you shall not covet," but have we truly grasped its impact on our hearts? Pastor Colin explores how this commandment reveals our inner struggles and points us towards true contentment found in Christ.

Through Romans 7, we discover Paul's personal transformation and how God's law opened his eyes to the condition of his heart. This is a crucial lesson for anyone who has ever felt morally upright yet misses the deeper call of...

While many of us nod in agreement when discussing sin and forgiveness, it's easy for these concepts to feel distant. This broadcast challenges us to revisit our understanding of morality and how even the best-living among us need forgiveness. Join Pastor Colin as he unfolds the insights of the 10th commandment, demonstrating how it acts as a key to comprehensively understanding all other commandments.

In today's message titled "Your Struggle with Truth," we explore the profound statement by Jesus: "I am the light of the world, and whoever follows me will never walk in darkness." But what does it truly mean to follow the light? Pastor Colin dives deep into how translating what we hear into action brings the light of life to us. We learn that Christianity isn't just an academic study but involves a personal engagement and an opening of ourselves to follow Jesus fully.

In this episode, Pastor Colin also shares a thought-provoking story about a student named...

Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant when He called Himself "the truth"? Colin unravels this by reminding us that truth is not merely a construct of our opinions but is deeply rooted in God's character. As we explore Exodus 20:16, we'll see how God's commandments reflect His unwavering truthfulness and challenge us to live the same way.

In this episode titled "Your Struggle for Integrity," Colin explores the Eighth Commandment — "You shall not steal" — and its deep implications for our lives today.

Starting with a sobering reflection on Satan, described as the ultimate taker who steals, kills, and destroys, Colin draws a profound contrast with Jesus Christ, the great giver. He challenges us to examine our hearts — are we givers, like Christ, or are we reflecting the taker characteristic of Satan in our lives?

Colin invites us to consider how we approach work and contribution. Whether paid or unpaid, our work should be app...

We invite you on a thought-provoking journey as we delve into the deeper meanings of the Eighth Commandment: "Thou shalt not steal". Join Pastor Colin Smith as he explores the concept of stealing beyond the tangible, traditional view of theft. Through this discussion, discover how this commandment challenges our everyday actions and attitudes in areas such as the workplace, family, and even church life. Learn about the profound struggle for integrity that lies at the heart of this biblical commandment and how this concept reaches far beyond simply not taking what isn't yours. With practical examples and biblical insights...

Today's episode tackles the issue of overcoming temptation by cultivating a deep love for Christ, inspired by the seventh commandment. Pastor Colin explores the idea that a new love is stronger than an old habit, encouraging us to replace destructive behaviours with a vibrant, Christ-centred devotion.

Have you ever struggled with purity? Pastor Colin helps us to look at the concept of sexual purity, exploring it through the lens of Biblical teachings. He takes us back to the beginning, highlighting that the first thoughts on sexuality were pure and came from God.

Today's message offers a compassionate look at the pressures of maintaining purity in modern society and the importance of keeping promises, both big and small, as exemplified through a touching children's story. The message aims to provide clarity and encouragement for anyone facing struggles in this area. Join us as we...

Today, Pastor Colin helps us explore the age-old commandments and how they relate to our modern struggles, particularly focusing on the commandment “you shall not commit murder.”

He likens murder to trains on a track, urging us to reflect not just on the act itself but on the journeys of anger and conflict that often lead to it. We will explore the subtle moral stations we often stop at—like anger, rudeness, and recklessness—each one drawing us closer to breaking this commandment. It’s a vital reminder that harbouring ill will or inflicting harsh words can be more si...

Today we explore what it truly means to be created in the image of God. This insightful discussion takes us into the depths of the Sixth Commandment, "You shall not murder," and delves into the sacredness and uniqueness of human life as a gift from God. Join Pastor Colin as he navigates the complexities surrounding human dignity, the value of life, and the implications of our eternal soul.

Join Pastor Colin on the vital topic of parenting and representing God to our children. In today's discussion, Pastor Colin poses a thought-provoking question: "How am I representing God to this child?" Recognising the high and holy calling of parenting, Pastor Colin reminds us of the immense value and responsibility in guiding our children with wisdom, sufficiency, and love. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or leader, this episode offers biblical insights on using authority wisely and compassionately.

In this episode of Open the Bible, Pastor Colin Smith takes us on a thoughtful journey through the fifth commandment, exploring what it means to honour those in authority, even when they might not seem honourable. As always, Colin sheds light on the sometimes challenging dynamics of respecting and valuing the authority figures in our lives, from parents to teachers and beyond.

Join us as we delve into the complexities of relationships and authority, and learn how to embody the spirit of honour at various stages of life. Whether you're a child, launching into adulthood, or caring...

In this episode, we dive into the thought-provoking question: Why did God create the heavens and the earth in six days instead of an instant? Pastor Colin explores the meaning and value of the Sabbath day, challenging perceptions of it as a day filled with old rules and restrictions. Discover how the gift of rest is meant to help us savour the eternal, deepen our worship, and strengthen our grasp on eternity. Whether a believer or someone curious about faith, this conversation will spark reflection on how we spend time and embrace rest in our lives.

You might be surprised to learn that Sabbath not just about taking a day off; there's a deeper insight into how we perceive work and rest. Join Pastor Colin as he explores the significance of the Sabbath and how God’s interest in our work week equates to His interest in our Sunday worship. Unpack the dignity of work, the essential nature of rest, and understand why all your work, paid or unpaid, reflects the image of God. Whether you’re an executive or manual worker, there’s something in this message for you.

In today's broadcast, we'll discuss the critical question: Is there an unforgivable sin? Pastor Colin unpacks what it truly means to blaspheme the Spirit and the significance of acknowledging our need for a Saviour. Discover how recognising our own need keeps Christ at the centre, ensuring that His grace shines brightly through our actions.

As we study Exodus 20, we'll learn why it's essential to honour God's name, not only as a matter of faith but as a calling that shapes how we live and interact with the world. Prepare for an insightful session that reminds us of...

Join Pastor Colin explore how the misuse and irreverent use of God's name affect our society, culture, and personal spirituality. They discuss the importance of reverence in how we speak of God, challenging the "OMG culture" that often surrounds us. Pastor Colin emphasises the need for love, respect, and truth when using the name of God, not just as an exclamation or filler in conversation.

In this insightful broadcast, Colin also reflects on how many people and causes throughout history have attempted to claim divine endorsement and how this impacts the world's view of faith today. Discover...

In this episode, titled "Your Struggle with Worship," Pastor Colin dives deep into the essence of idolatry, guided by the profound insights of Augustine. Join us in understanding how idolatry isn't just about graven images but can be a quiet struggle within all of us as we explore Colossians chapter one, verses 15 to 23.

Discover the dual nature of idolatry: the temptation to elevate created things to divine levels and the equally pervasive challenge of trying to use God for our personal gains, rather than genuinely worshipping Him. This episode provides eye-opening reflections and valuable questions to ponder...