Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith! Today, we're diving into an essential and sometimes misunderstood topic: the fear of God. Many think that the God of the Old Testament is to be feared, while the God of the New Testament is to be loved. Pastor Colin challenges this notion by affirming that God is unchanging and that both fear and love are essential aspects of a Christian believer's relationship with Him.

Pastor Colin explains how our love for God leads us to fear Him, and our fear of God leads us to love Him—these are not divided but held together. Drawing from both Old and New Testament scriptures, including Deuteronomy and the words of Jesus and Peter, he illustrates that God's nature as loving and to be revered spans the entirety of the Bible.

Throughout the broadcast, we explore the fear of God as a “cord of three strands”: the splendor of God's glory, the reality of God's judgment, and the wonder of God's love. This trifecta helps believers understand the depth and importance of fearing God in a healthy, spiritually enriching way.

In today's episode, we dive into the heart of spiritual life: where it comes from, how it is nourished, and why it matters so deeply for our daily lives.

Pastor Colin explores the profound truth that spiritual life originates from the Word of God and is sustained by it. Our discussion centres around Colossians 3 and the importance of letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly. Pastor Colin emphasizes that when the Word of God has a rich place in our lives, it produces fruit and strengthens our faith, hope, and understanding.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the significance of immersing ourselves in scripture. Whether you are new to faith or seeking to deepen your spiritual journey, you will find Pastor Colin’s insights both encouraging and enlightening.

Today, we're diving deep into one of the core themes of our ministry: the authority of the Word of God. Pastor Colin explores how the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is central to our faith as it contains God speaking to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

We discuss how the Bible is not merely a book of information, but it is life, light, food, and sustenance for our souls. It's a means by which spiritual life is given and sustained. Pastor Colin encourages us to be deeply rooted in the conviction that the Bible is indeed God's Word. Our key scripture for today is Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom...”

Join us as we unpack what this means for us individually and as a church. Are you allowing the Word of God to dwell richly in your life? If you missed any part of today’s message or wish to listen again, you can always catch up on our website at openthebible.org.uk.

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 is our hope of glory, and through the Holy Spirit, we are never truly alone. He knows our every trial and temptation and provides strength and comfort in times of need.

If you've missed any part of our Soul Care series or want to revisit today's message, you can always catch up online at openthebible.org.uk or listen to our podcast on your favourite podcast site. Don't forget to subscribe to receive regular updates!

At Open the Bible, we love hearing from our listeners! If Pastor Colin's teaching has been a blessing to you, please reach out to us. You can write to us at Open the Bible, P.O. Box 1420, Cheltenham, GL50 9PG, or call us on 0330-335-8089.

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 Fear of God, and the Love of God.

Today's primary focus is on the 'Son of God' as our friend. Pastor Colin shares insights on how Jesus Christ invites us into a close, personal relationship with Him, not just as a distant figure of belief but as a present friend living within us through the Holy Spirit. As we open our Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5 and Galatians 2:20, we discover Paul's marvellous statement that "Christ lives in me."

This episode also highlights the difference between self-effort and true Christian life, emphasising the importance of a transformed heart and the indwelling of Christ by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Colin shares personal anecdotes and theological insights to help us understand this profound truth.

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 identifying the red and green lights on the dashboard of our souls to understanding how to investigate and address the causes of our spiritual struggles, this teaching provides essential guidance for every believer.

If you ever miss any of our messages or want to revisit them, you can find them online at openthebible.org.uk. There, you'll also find other devotional material by Pastor Colin Smith.

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?

Drawing wisdom from scripture and insights from esteemed Christian writers like John Flavell and Octavius Winslow, Pastor Colin dives deep into understanding why keeping our heart with all vigilance is essential for our spiritual life. We explore how the state of our heart influences every aspect of our lives – our choices, our joy, our peace, and our strength. Just as a valuable Stradivarius violin needs constant tuning, our hearts require constant care and attention, for from it flow the springs of life.

In this episode, you'll learn about the practical steps to guard and watch your heart diligently. Pastor Colin shares five specific ways to monitor and maintain the health of your soul, ensuring that the life-giving streams of joy, peace, and love can flow freely from within.

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 to embark on a spiritual journey, deciphering common misconceptions and offering crucial insights into the essence of being saved. Through the message, we learn that salvation involves far more than just belief—it requires a definitive return to Jesus Christ as the Shepherd, the Overseer, and the Lord of our lives, guiding us towards a path of righteousness.

The broadcast is anchored in 1 Peter chapter 2, where we are reminded that stray sheep can indeed return to their Shepherd, who graciously watches over their souls. It is an invitation to shed the spiritual equivalent of stuffing one’s wealth under the mattress and instead, trust our souls to the care of Jesus Christ, who promises a life of growth and prosperity under His guidance.

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 life and eternal future. Pastor Colin bases his teachings on the letter of 1 Peter, which places significant emphasis on the soul. By turning to this scripture, particularly focusing on chapter 2, verses 24 and 25, we gain profound insights into the spiritual significance of our existence.

Throughout today's broadcast, Pastor Colin discusses three common distortions of the gospel, helping us to identify and correct misunderstandings that could lead us astray.

We're starting with a thought-provoking discussion on how modern culture often values physical wellness over spiritual health. Pastor Colin shares insights on how this shift has led many away from church, emphasising the critical importance of maintaining a healthy inner life.

Our message today, "Valuing Your Soul," will explore why your soul is of unparalleled importance. Through intriguing metaphors and biblical references, Pastor Colin highlights how temptations stick to our souls if they are not guarded, nurtured, and steadfastly rooted in faith.

If you'd like to follow along, we'll be diving into the passages from Mark Chapter 8. It's a journey that not only addresses why your soul matters but also the eternal consequences of how it's cared for—or neglected.