Open the Bible UK Broadcast

Today we delve into a profound truth that brings comfort and hope to anyone facing grief or suffering. Often, we may feel isolated in our pain, questioning if Jesus, being divine, can truly comprehend the depths of our struggles and sorrows. Join us as we explore the Scripture, revealing that Jesus Christ is not a distant observer but has intimately known the entirety of human anguish. He has face...

Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. Today we're delving into Isaiah 53:4 - a verse that intimately addresses the human condition of grief and sorrow. Those tuning in might be grappling with significant loss, and I'm grateful that you've chosen to join us as we explore a Scripture that reveals Jesus Christ's profound connection to our struggles. In this continuation of our series on...

As we explore Isaiah 53, we learn how embracing Jesus can transform your life. If you've ever felt that Jesus isn't for you, consider this your invitation to pause and reconsider. Perhaps it's time for a new calculation based on the rich insights found in scripture. Every Christian journey begins with a shift from a definitive 'no' to a life-changing 'yes' to Jesus. No matter your past decision, t...

In today's broadcast, we're delving into the profound joy of Jesus and what it means for us. Despite being known as a "man of sorrows," Jesus was a beacon of joy, peace, and love, and He invites us to share in that radiance. Pastor Colin will explore this juxtaposition further as we turn to Isaiah chapter 53. Today’s message, titled "Our Verdict," encourages us to consider our perspectives on Jesu...

Our modern lives are brimming with interests such as music, food, pets, travel, and sports – all wonderful distractions, yet potentially drawing us away from deeper contemplation of Jesus Christ. But why is it essential to tune into His presence? Pastor Colin enlightens us: to truly 'look' at Jesus is to absorb His words, to witness His actions, and to engage in a relationship similar to the dedic...

Perhaps you're listening today thinking, "I want to believe in Jesus, like others do, but I seem unable to take that step of faith." Well, today is a day of discovery for you, as we explore the barriers to belief and uncover how to overcome them. Together, we will examine three significant hurdles—one being the ease with which we're swayed by distractions—through the verse from Isaiah 53...

Isaiah recognizes a stark contrast between the prevailing doubt and the surety of Jesus Christ gathering multitudes from every nation, gifting them with eternal life. Pastor Colin will enlighten us on the 'arm of the Lord'—the divine strength and means by which God manifests His will, even amidst an ocean of skepticism. Isaiah's inquiry, "To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" underscores...

In today's broadcast, we're delving into a chapter of scripture so profound that the renowned preacher C.H. Spurgeon referred to it as "the Bible in miniature." Join us as we explore the prophecies of Isaiah 53—a passage that unveils the necessity of Jesus Christ's coming and the totality of His work from birth to ascension. Today's journey into the scriptures begins with a focus on unbelief, an o...

Why do people struggle to believe? Pastor Colin talks about 3 ways Jesus shows love to people who struggle to believe.

Can we truly love others well? Pastor Colin assures us that the capacity to love expands as our hearts align with Jesus Christ. In today's broadcast, we dive into how nurturing our ability to love enriches our own experience of being loved—a gift from God indeed. Join us as we uncover the wisdom in Proverbs chapter 23 and learn about 'The Heart Set Right'. Pastor Colin offers a profoundly simple d...

Today, we turn our attention to the powerful and poignant advice found in Proverbs 23:26 - "My son, my daughter, give me your heart." This verse speaks volumes not just to those discovering their faith, but also to believers in Jesus Christ. It resonates with those of us who may find, despite our faith, a growing coldness or lethargy within our hearts. Pastor Colin Smith guides us through this jou...

Many believe that to come to God, one must first purify their heart, but as Pastor Colin clarifies, the gospel invites us to come to God with our imperfect hearts so that He can renew them. In this episode, we explore the different ways our hearts can lead us astray – from whom we admire to how we make decisions, and where we choose to invest our lives. But there's hope, as we're reminded that Jes...

Today we're delving into a profound topic that touches the very essence of who we are: the heart. Often regarded as the command and control center of our lives, the heart is the most profound part of our being, directing the course of our lives and foreshadowing our future. Pastor Colin explores the significance of the heart, especially in times when we confront the truth about our heart's conditi...

Elijah's life was a testament to faithful living, and rather than scrambling to make peace with God in his final hours, he rested in the peace that had underscored his entire relationship with God. Pastor Colin's message today underscores that it's never too late for our most significant work with Jesus Christ. So for those listening in your later years, be encouraged that your influence may just...

Often, we measure our lives by the successes we achieve. Yet, in today's episode, Pastor Smith reveals that in God's story, our impact can be far greater than we ever imagined, even when we face disappointments or feel we've fallen short of our hopes. In our journey through scripture, it becomes evident that while Elijah faced many hardships and even despondency, his legacy extended beyond his imm...

Oftentimes, we see figures of staunch faith in phases of deep weariness; it's a human experience that doesn't exclude the diligent servant. Today's narrative brings to light Elijah's journey, a story that isn't about grand triumph, but humility before God, facing his dimming zeal. In our lives, the feeling of being singularly left to face hardships, much like Elijah felt, may seem all too real. Bu...

In today's episode, we encounter Elijah wrestling with despair despite witnessing God's power at Mount Carmel. The victory that should have propelled him to greater heights instead precedes a fall into fear and discouragement. Such profound experiences aren't exclusive to ancient prophets—many of us might relate to Elijah's heartache in response to unforeseen challenges. His story reminds us that...

Are you ever discouraged when prayers seem to go unanswered? Perhaps you've been praying earnestly for years, but the heavens seem silent. Today, Colin offers us valuable insights from Elijah's story in 1 Kings chapter 18—a man who knew the trials of persistent prayer. In today's lesson, entitled 'Prayer 101', Pastor Smith shares the transformative practice of praying with clarity and conviction,...

On today's programme, we're delving deep into the true essence of Christian praying. Pastor Colin emphasizes that the goal of such prayer is not to achieve relaxation of the body – it's far more profound. As we explore this spiritual practice, we must understand that biblical prayer entails engaging the mind, focusing thoughts, and communing with God. A stark contrast to certain forms of mysticism...

In today's broadcast, Pastor Colin explores the powerful story of Elijah on Mount Carmel, where the prophets of Baal find their cries met with silence, while the true God responds with might. This biblical account challenges us to reflect deeply on the focus of our lives. Are we placing our hopes in things that, ultimately, cannot fulfil our deepest needs? Philip Ryken aptly notes that success, pl...

In today's broadcast, Pastor Colin challenges us with a profound topic: the impossibility of serving two masters. He asserts, "You cannot worship God and at the same time craft your own truth, shape your own morality, and somehow contrive your own independent purpose for life. It's about making a decisive choice, an inevitable decision that demands our attention." Through the narrative of Elijah a...

In today's broadcast, we dive into the intriguing relationship of Elijah and Obadiah – two men firmly rooted in their belief, yet with dispositions and callings so contrasting that mutual understanding was quite the challenge. While Elijah, the prophet, took the route of bold confrontation, announcing the word of God with zealous authority, Obadiah's life was strikingly different. Less known and s...

Today, we venture into the curious and encouraging story of Obadiah, a lesser-known figure from the Old Testament. As we tackle the narrative of this godly man entrenched in the court of King Ahab, we observe a person of faith navigating an overwhelmingly ungodly environment – a scenario that reverberates with many of us today. Obadiah's tale reminds us of the light that can be found in the darkes...

In today's episode, Colin unpacks the pivotal role that personal ministry plays in our walk of faith. Each of us may not summon fire from heaven or call nations to repentance like Elijah did on Mount Carmel, but we are all given the precious opportunity to positively affect the lives of those around us, be it one person or one family at a time. Guiding us through 1 Kings chapter 17, Pastor Colin r...

We often hear that 'faith begins where you trust God's promise enough to obey his commands', but today we're going to witness how a mother's leap of trust and obedience underscores this profound truth. Join us on a journey through one of Pastor Colin's favourite narratives—the tale of a widow and her son on the verge of their last meal, facing what seems to be the end of the line. But it's in this...