100:00:00,300 –> 00:00:02,020The Holy Bible200:00:03,500 –> 00:00:10,780If you have been tempted to feel that your work, your service, your labour,300:00:11,580 –> 00:00:18,620your love, your ministry, your faithfulness, if you’ve been tempted to feel that they have been400:00:18,620 –> 00:00:24,500wasted, well Malachi Again chapter 3 is the chapter for you.500:00:25,280 –> 00:00:29,260Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick.600:00:29,260 –> 00:00:32,860Glad you could join us today. And Colin there may be some listening today700:00:32,860 –> 00:00:37,180who do feel that way. And I’m intrigued that we’re going back to the book of Malachi.800:00:37,820 –> 00:00:42,360People may not know the book that well. What does it have to say to us today?900:00:42,360 –> 00:00:49,180Oh well Malachi brought the word of God at a time when God’s people were very discouraged.1000:00:49,180 –> 00:00:52,779The wicked seemed to be winning, God didn’t seem to do much to stop them,1100:00:53,020 –> 00:00:57,660His own people were struggling, God didn’t seem to be doing much to help them and people were1200:00:57,660 –> 00:01:03,660really discouraged. Good people were beginning to say, maybe it’s vain to serve the Lord.1300:01:04,459 –> 00:01:09,900You find that throughout the Bible that faithful people have come to times when they’ve had1400:01:09,900 –> 00:01:16,459real questions and they’ve been seriously tempted to give up and Malachi chapter 3 just gives us1500:01:16,459 –> 00:01:22,699the most marvelous encouragement for a faithful believer when you find yourself in that place1600:01:22,699 –> 00:01:27,900of discouragement, and what we’re going to look at today is the way that God remembers.1700:01:27,900 –> 00:01:34,459You know he never forgets what you have done. There may be other people who forget what you1800:01:34,459 –> 00:01:39,739have done. You may feel that what you have done is not appreciated, that in some way it’s not1900:01:39,739 –> 00:01:45,099recognised, that it’s not seen for what it is, that people don’t know the value of what you’ve2000:01:45,099 –> 00:01:50,300given and what it’s cost you to serve the Lord in one way or another. But you know the Lord2100:01:50,300 –> 00:01:55,980remembers what you have done, and that’s a tremendous encouragement when we come to times2200:01:55,980 –> 00:02:02,459of difficulty. We’re going to see today from the scripture that your labour in the Lord is never2300:02:02,459 –> 00:02:07,900in vain, so get ready to be encouraged! Well indeed, let’s get into that. Join us today if2400:02:07,900 –> 00:02:14,380you can in the Book of Malachi chapter 3 as we begin the message, God Remembers. Here is pastor2500:02:14,380 –> 00:02:20,619Colin. We saw last time that this book of Malachi speaks directly to all of us today.2600:02:21,419 –> 00:02:28,220Believers in Malachi’s day faced some big challenges. They were disappointed with leaders.2700:02:28,940 –> 00:02:36,139They had known disruption to worship, and there was a growing coldness of heart towards God all2800:02:36,139 –> 00:02:43,339around them, but through it all we saw that there were some who remained faithful and Malachi2900:02:43,339 –> 00:02:50,619describes them in chapter 3 in verse 16 as those who feared the Lord. And he tells us3000:02:50,619 –> 00:02:57,899what they did. Those who feared the Lord spoke with one another and we saw that when the chill3100:02:57,899 –> 00:03:05,419winds of skepticism and unbelief begin to blow around us what faithful believers do is that they3200:03:05,419 –> 00:03:14,220move closer to one another. They speak to one another often. And we saw the principle beautifully3300:03:14,220 –> 00:03:21,740illustrated in the story of the road to Emmaus that when faithful believers talk together about3400:03:21,740 –> 00:03:30,860Jesus well Jesus himself draws near and walks with them. You will find the presence of Jesus3500:03:30,860 –> 00:03:39,820in the company of other believers. So, when we face what believers in Malachi’s Day faced,3600:03:39,820 –> 00:03:46,619disappointment in leaders, disruption to worship, the coldness of unbelief all around us,3700:03:46,619 –> 00:03:54,619when we face what faithful believers in Malachi’s Day faced, we must do what faithful believers in3800:03:55,339 –> 00:04:04,059Malachi’s Day did. They spoke often with one another. And Malachi tells us that when those3900:04:04,059 –> 00:04:11,660who feared the Lord spoke with one another, the Lord paid attention and heard them.4000:04:11,660 –> 00:04:17,820Now, I’ve called this series encouragement for faithful believers. And the first wonderful4100:04:17,820 –> 00:04:22,779encouragement is that when we speak with each other in a way that esteems the Lord,4200:04:22,779 –> 00:04:28,940God himself hears us. And today we’re going to look at the second4300:04:28,940 –> 00:04:34,940encouragement, which is that God not only hears, but God remembers.4400:04:35,899 –> 00:04:42,619Now, we begin today at Malachi and chapter 3 and verse 13, where we read these words.4500:04:42,619 –> 00:04:50,059God says to his people, your words have been hard against me, says the Lord.4600:04:50,940 –> 00:05:01,179You have said it is vane to serve the Lord. Now, if you extend yourself4700:05:02,380 –> 00:05:06,059in living for the Lord and in serving the Lord,4800:05:06,779 –> 00:05:11,959you may find that you come to a place in your life where you are discouraged.4900:05:11,959 –> 00:05:19,820You feel defeated and you realize that you are losing the will to carry on.5000:05:19,820 –> 00:05:23,820The work that you once counted to be a great privilege,5100:05:23,820 –> 00:05:29,320now it feels like a liability. It’s a weight. It’s a burden.5200:05:29,320 –> 00:05:34,179And you say, now why am I carrying this? What am I getting out of it?5300:05:34,200 –> 00:05:35,700And in your darker moments,5400:05:35,700 –> 00:05:43,299you may even know what it is to think that it is vain to serve the Lord.5500:05:43,820 –> 00:05:50,880Asaph who wrote Psalm 73, was a very godly man.5600:05:50,880 –> 00:05:54,019But he tells us very honestly5700:05:54,019 –> 00:05:57,600that while he pursued a godly life,5800:05:57,600 –> 00:06:00,899there came a point in his own experience5900:06:01,059 –> 00:06:04,540when in his private thoughts, this godly man said,6000:06:04,540 –> 00:06:09,920In vain I have kept my heart clean.6100:06:09,920 –> 00:06:16,100I’ve tried to live a life that honours the Lord and what have I gained?6200:06:16,100 –> 00:06:18,720Why am I doing this?6300:06:18,720 –> 00:06:22,980In vain I have kept my heart clean.6400:06:22,980 –> 00:06:25,179That’s what he thought.6500:06:25,480 –> 00:06:28,260Now, if you read the rest of Psalm 73,6600:06:28,260 –> 00:06:32,559you will find out how Asaph answered these dark thoughts.6700:06:32,559 –> 00:06:36,260But what I want us to notice right now is that he had them.6800:06:36,260 –> 00:06:39,000These thoughts went through his mind.6900:06:39,000 –> 00:06:41,899This faithful believer knew what it was7000:06:41,899 –> 00:06:47,700to feel that pursuing a godly life might be in vain.7100:06:48,339 –> 00:06:51,059And Job faced the same struggle.7200:06:51,059 –> 00:06:56,440We saw last time that he was commended for speaking well about God.7300:06:56,559 –> 00:07:01,579But Job struggled with some very, very dark thoughts indeed.7400:07:01,880 –> 00:07:03,720At one point he said,7500:07:03,720 –> 00:07:07,019Why do I labor in vain?7600:07:07,619 –> 00:07:08,739And then there were times7700:07:08,739 –> 00:07:11,320when even the Apostle Paul himself7800:07:11,320 –> 00:07:15,760feared that some of his ministry might be in vain.7900:07:15,760 –> 00:07:17,799Writing to the Galatians,8000:07:17,799 –> 00:07:18,820he says,8100:07:18,820 –> 00:07:25,179I am afraid that I may have labored over you in vain!8200:07:26,880 –> 00:07:29,660Now, if you have been tempted8300:07:29,660 –> 00:07:32,440to feel that your work,8400:07:32,440 –> 00:07:33,579your service,8500:07:33,579 –> 00:07:34,820your labor,8600:07:34,820 –> 00:07:36,600your love,8700:07:36,600 –> 00:07:38,179your ministry,8800:07:38,179 –> 00:07:39,559your faithfulness —8900:07:39,559 –> 00:07:41,299if you’ve been tempted to feel that9000:07:41,299 –> 00:07:43,559they have been wasted,9100:07:43,920 –> 00:07:46,359well, Malachi chapter 39200:07:46,359 –> 00:07:49,239is the chapter for you.9300:07:49,239 –> 00:07:51,980Because right here,9400:07:51,980 –> 00:07:54,720God answers the charge9500:07:55,200 –> 00:07:59,239that serving him might be in vain.9600:07:59,239 –> 00:08:01,000Look at what it says in verse 16.9700:08:01,000 –> 00:08:04,839Then those who feared the Lord9800:08:04,839 –> 00:08:07,079spoke with one another.9900:08:07,079 –> 00:08:08,480The Lord paid10000:08:08,480 –> 00:08:12,059attention and heard them.10100:08:12,059 –> 00:08:13,299And then the part I want us to10200:08:13,299 –> 00:08:15,299focus on today.10300:08:15,299 –> 00:08:19,660And a book of remembrance10400:08:19,660 –> 00:08:22,239was written before him10500:08:22,279 –> 00:08:25,459of those who feared the Lord10600:08:25,459 –> 00:08:28,040and esteemed his name.10700:08:29,420 –> 00:08:32,140Now, God knows all things10800:08:32,140 –> 00:08:34,320and God does not need a book10900:08:34,320 –> 00:08:37,479to remind him of what we have done.11000:08:38,419 –> 00:08:40,559But God speaks in scripture11100:08:40,559 –> 00:08:43,159in a way that we can understand.11200:08:43,159 –> 00:08:45,859And here Malachi is telling us11300:08:45,859 –> 00:08:49,320that God will never forget11400:08:49,419 –> 00:08:53,280what those who feared him have done.11500:08:54,919 –> 00:08:57,599Now, when we read in the scripture11600:08:57,599 –> 00:09:01,359about a book written before God,11700:09:01,359 –> 00:09:05,179our first thought may be the book of life11800:09:05,179 –> 00:09:08,840that is spoken of repeatedly in the Bible.11900:09:08,840 –> 00:09:10,820Paul speaks in the New Testament12000:09:10,820 –> 00:09:13,979of my fellow workers whose names12100:09:13,979 –> 00:09:17,320are written in the book of life.12200:09:17,320 –> 00:09:19,080Jesus says to his disciples,12300:09:19,080 –> 00:09:23,679rejoice that your names are written in heaven.12400:09:23,679 –> 00:09:25,460The book of Revelation tells us12500:09:25,460 –> 00:09:27,619that nothing unclean will enter12600:09:27,619 –> 00:09:30,059God’s marvelous new creation.12700:09:30,059 –> 00:09:32,679But only those who are written12800:09:32,679 –> 00:09:35,719in the Lamb’s book of life.12900:09:36,979 –> 00:09:40,580Notice that the book of life belongs to Jesus Christ.13000:09:40,580 –> 00:09:42,820It’s the Lamb’s book of life.13100:09:42,820 –> 00:09:46,640He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.13200:09:46,640 –> 00:09:49,979And what he gives is eternal life.13300:09:50,880 –> 00:09:55,500And the names that are written in the Lamb’s book of life13400:09:55,500 –> 00:09:59,000are the names of those who believe in the son of God.13500:09:59,000 –> 00:10:04,000It is by believing that you have life in his name.13600:10:04,159 –> 00:10:08,719It is a marvelous thing to know as a believer13700:10:08,719 –> 00:10:13,719that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.13800:10:13,840 –> 00:10:18,840God says to his people fear not for I have redeemed you.13900:10:19,580 –> 00:10:24,580I know you by name and you are mine.14000:10:27,179 –> 00:10:29,859The Lamb’s book of life was written14100:10:29,859 –> 00:10:33,460before the foundation of the world.14200:10:33,460 –> 00:10:36,799That’s Revelation chapter 13 in verse eight,14300:10:36,799 –> 00:10:41,799which reminds us that God knows who are his.14400:10:42,599 –> 00:10:47,599He always has, he always will.14500:10:48,020 –> 00:10:53,020And he will never, never, never forget his own.14600:10:54,419 –> 00:10:56,380Now, the book of life,14700:10:57,280 –> 00:11:00,700where the names of all who believe are written14800:11:00,700 –> 00:11:04,799is a marvelous, wonderful theme in the Bible.14900:11:05,760 –> 00:11:07,820But I don’t think that,15000:11:07,859 –> 00:11:11,820that is what Malachi is speaking about here.15100:11:12,859 –> 00:11:17,299Notice he says a book of remembrance15200:11:17,299 –> 00:11:20,640was written before the Lord.15300:11:20,640 –> 00:11:24,140We’re talking about a book15400:11:24,140 –> 00:11:29,140in which the acts of those who fear the Lord are recorded,15500:11:29,460 –> 00:11:32,659and this is stated in response15600:11:32,659 –> 00:11:36,859to the fear that God’s people might serve him in vain.15700:11:38,539 –> 00:11:41,659Dr. Walter Kaiser says, and I quote here,15800:11:41,659 –> 00:11:45,859here, that’s in Malachi chapter three in verse 16,15900:11:45,859 –> 00:11:49,940we see something similar to the Persian custom16000:11:49,940 –> 00:11:53,799of entering into a book all acts16100:11:53,799 –> 00:11:58,340that should be rewarded in the future.16200:11:59,179 –> 00:12:02,719Now there is a fascinating example of this16300:12:02,719 –> 00:12:04,280in the Bible itself.16400:12:04,340 –> 00:12:08,179In the book of Esther that comes from the same time16500:12:08,179 –> 00:12:12,500as the books of Nehemiah, and the book of Malachi.16600:12:12,500 –> 00:12:14,340You may remember the story.16700:12:14,340 –> 00:12:19,340Esther in God’s providence had become the queen16800:12:19,400 –> 00:12:23,099in the royal court of King Ahasuerus.16900:12:23,099 –> 00:12:27,099And she had a cousin by the name of Mordecai17000:12:28,119 –> 00:12:33,119And Mordecai was a good friend and a wise counselor17100:12:34,099 –> 00:12:38,000to his cousin, Queen Esther.17200:12:38,000 –> 00:12:40,080And he made it for that reason,17300:12:40,080 –> 00:12:44,760his business to hang around the King’s courts17400:12:44,760 –> 00:12:47,119wherever he could.17500:12:47,119 –> 00:12:52,099And one day, when he was sitting at the King’s gate,17600:12:52,099 –> 00:12:57,099Mordecai overheard two of the kings security guards17700:12:57,479 –> 00:13:00,340plotting to take his life.17800:13:01,320 –> 00:13:04,460Mordecai told Esther the Queen,17900:13:04,460 –> 00:13:07,200and Esther the Queen told the King,18000:13:07,200 –> 00:13:10,739so the plot on the King’s life was foiled18100:13:10,739 –> 00:13:13,239and the King’s life was saved.18200:13:14,320 –> 00:13:15,619Now in the book of Esther,18300:13:15,619 –> 00:13:18,520we find that sometime later,18400:13:18,520 –> 00:13:23,419there was a night when the King could not get to sleep.18500:13:23,419 –> 00:13:26,059And we read in Esther chapter six, in verse one.18600:13:26,059 –> 00:13:29,260On that night, the King could not sleep18700:13:29,260 –> 00:13:34,260and he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds,18800:13:36,239 –> 00:13:40,419the Chronicles and they were read before the King.18900:13:41,520 –> 00:13:43,440Now when this book was read,19000:13:43,440 –> 00:13:48,219it was discovered that Mordecai had given the intelligence19100:13:48,219 –> 00:13:51,820that had foiled the plot on the King’s life.19200:13:51,820 –> 00:13:53,179And so the King asked,19300:13:53,179 –> 00:13:57,700what honor has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?19400:13:57,719 –> 00:14:02,400And he was told nothing has been done for him.19500:14:02,400 –> 00:14:06,400So the King commanded that Mordecai should be honored19600:14:06,400 –> 00:14:09,820because what he did was written19700:14:09,820 –> 00:14:13,780in the book of memorable deeds.19800:14:14,659 –> 00:14:19,039Now the point here is that the King had a book19900:14:19,039 –> 00:14:23,880of remembrance, a book where honorable deeds20000:14:23,880 –> 00:14:27,780that were to be rewarded were written down.20100:14:28,679 –> 00:14:33,679And Malachi tells us that God has a book of remembrance.20200:14:36,359 –> 00:14:39,239So when you are tempted to think that perhaps20300:14:39,239 –> 00:14:41,919your service for God is in vain,20400:14:41,919 –> 00:14:46,919you need to know that God remembers what you have done.20500:14:47,840 –> 00:14:52,840A book of remembrance was written before the Lord.20600:14:55,140 –> 00:14:58,020You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith20700:14:58,020 –> 00:15:00,219and a message called, God Remembers,20800:15:00,219 –> 00:15:01,820and we’ll be back to the message very shortly,20900:15:01,820 –> 00:15:03,440so do stay with us.21000:15:03,440 –> 00:15:05,380The message is part of a new series21100:15:05,380 –> 00:15:08,380called Listener Favorites 2026,21200:15:08,380 –> 00:15:11,099where we’ve taken 10 of the most popular21300:15:11,099 –> 00:15:15,419and most listened to messages of the past 12 months.21400:15:15,419 –> 00:15:17,700If you ever miss one of the messages in the series,21500:15:17,700 –> 00:15:19,940you can catch up or go back and listen again21600:15:19,940 –> 00:15:22,200by coming online to our website.21700:15:22,200 –> 00:15:25,659That’s at openthebible.org.uk.21800:15:25,659 –> 00:15:28,020Also, you can find them as a podcast21900:15:28,020 –> 00:15:30,700if you prefer that way of listening to Pastor Colin.22000:15:30,700 –> 00:15:32,419They’re on all the main podcast sites22100:15:32,419 –> 00:15:35,140and you can find them by searching for openthebible.uk.22200:15:36,359 –> 00:15:39,719Back to the message now, here again is Pastor Colin.22300:15:39,719 –> 00:15:43,299Now, what does God remember?22400:15:43,340 –> 00:15:46,460Well, let me just identify a few things.22500:15:46,460 –> 00:15:50,640First, God remembers your work.22600:15:51,619 –> 00:15:55,239Hebrews chapter 6 in verse 10 states this so clearly,22700:15:55,239 –> 00:16:00,239God is not unjust so as to overlook your work22800:16:01,440 –> 00:16:06,140and the love that you have shown for his name22900:16:06,140 –> 00:16:09,419in serving the saints as you still do.23000:16:10,179 –> 00:16:15,179Now, perhaps you feel that no one sees what you do23100:16:16,520 –> 00:16:19,820and that no one cares about what you do.23200:16:21,179 –> 00:16:23,700Who knows the love and the care23300:16:23,700 –> 00:16:26,460that you are putting into the work23400:16:26,460 –> 00:16:29,700that has been trusted to you by the almighty God?23500:16:29,700 –> 00:16:31,299And the answer to that question23600:16:31,299 –> 00:16:34,940is God sees what you are doing23700:16:34,940 –> 00:16:38,580and he will not overlook your work.23800:16:39,820 –> 00:16:43,700Now, this theme of God remembering our work23900:16:43,700 –> 00:16:47,780is written all over the words of the Lord Jesus Christ24000:16:47,780 –> 00:16:50,099to the churches in the book of Revelation.24100:16:50,099 –> 00:16:51,979Remember God knows your work.24200:16:51,979 –> 00:16:55,739He says, I know your works,24300:16:55,739 –> 00:16:59,500your toil, and your patient endurance.24400:17:00,400 –> 00:17:03,340And not only does God know your work,24500:17:03,340 –> 00:17:06,099he knows the difficulty of your work.24600:17:06,099 –> 00:17:08,660He says, I know your tribulation.24700:17:09,579 –> 00:17:11,479And I know your poverty.24800:17:12,900 –> 00:17:14,739He knows where you dwell.24900:17:14,739 –> 00:17:16,219He says, I know where you dwell.25000:17:16,219 –> 00:17:17,300I know where you are.25100:17:17,300 –> 00:17:19,819And I know how difficult it is there.25200:17:21,819 –> 00:17:24,760And He knows all that goes into your work.25300:17:24,760 –> 00:17:29,760I know your work, your love, your faith,25400:17:30,140 –> 00:17:34,660your service, and your patient endurance.25500:17:36,099 –> 00:17:38,979Now, what you are doing for the Lord,25600:17:38,979 –> 00:17:42,140faithful brother, sister in Christ,25700:17:42,140 –> 00:17:47,140may not attract the attention or the praise of other people.25800:17:47,319 –> 00:17:51,239It may be largely hidden from their view,25900:17:52,619 –> 00:17:56,979but it is not hidden from Almighty God.26000:17:56,979 –> 00:17:59,520God knows your work.26100:18:01,040 –> 00:18:03,060And what you do in His name26200:18:04,140 –> 00:18:08,040is written in His book of remembrance.26300:18:09,959 –> 00:18:13,719And not only does God know and remember your work,26400:18:13,719 –> 00:18:17,739God knows and remembers your words.26500:18:17,739 –> 00:18:20,920Back to Malachi 3 in verse 16,26600:18:20,920 –> 00:18:23,219remember what we have just learned,26700:18:23,219 –> 00:18:26,719that those who feared the Lord spoke,26800:18:26,719 –> 00:18:29,400spoke with one another.26900:18:29,400 –> 00:18:31,459And the Lord paid attention and heard them,27000:18:31,459 –> 00:18:34,380and the book of remembrance was written before the Lord.27100:18:34,380 –> 00:18:36,619The connection is very clear.27200:18:36,660 –> 00:18:39,459God is remembering and writing down27300:18:40,660 –> 00:18:42,380the words that are spoken27400:18:42,380 –> 00:18:45,760that were words of faith that honored him.27500:18:47,420 –> 00:18:52,319God hears us when we speak to him.27600:18:53,500 –> 00:18:55,640But what we’re seeing here is something else.27700:18:55,640 –> 00:19:00,540God hears when we speak about him.27800:19:00,540 –> 00:19:04,280Those who feared the Lord spoke to one another27900:19:04,280 –> 00:19:05,719and the Lord heard them.28000:19:05,739 –> 00:19:09,239God hears what we say to one another.28100:19:09,239 –> 00:19:12,060When you speak to a brother or a sister,28200:19:12,060 –> 00:19:14,359when you speak even to someone who does not believe28300:19:14,359 –> 00:19:17,319and you speak with faith and you speak with hope28400:19:17,319 –> 00:19:20,260and you speak with love and you speak with courage,28500:19:20,260 –> 00:19:22,319God hears what you say.28600:19:22,319 –> 00:19:23,959And he will never forget it.28700:19:25,859 –> 00:19:28,000When they spoke to one another,28800:19:28,000 –> 00:19:33,000a book of remembrance was written before the Lord.28900:19:33,520 –> 00:19:38,520And then God remembers your tears.29000:19:40,140 –> 00:19:44,420I love this verse in Psalm 56 in verse eight.29100:19:44,420 –> 00:19:47,160Where David says to God,29200:19:47,160 –> 00:19:51,439you have kept count of my tossings.29300:19:51,439 –> 00:19:55,579Put my tears in your bottle.29400:19:55,579 –> 00:20:00,579Are they not in your book, in your book?29500:20:03,040 –> 00:20:04,420You see what he’s saying?29600:20:05,280 –> 00:20:08,540God knows your highest hopes.29700:20:09,459 –> 00:20:12,800And God knows your deepest fears.29800:20:13,959 –> 00:20:18,199And on a night when you cannot get to sleep,29900:20:18,199 –> 00:20:22,680God knows how many times you turn over in your bed.30000:20:22,680 –> 00:20:23,979It’s all known to Him.30100:20:25,119 –> 00:20:28,839If the hairs of your head are numbered30200:20:28,839 –> 00:20:31,260by your loving Heavenly Father,30300:20:31,260 –> 00:20:35,079you can be very sure that every troubled thought30400:20:35,079 –> 00:20:38,099that ever goes through your mind or through your heart30500:20:38,099 –> 00:20:41,239is completely known to Him.30600:20:42,420 –> 00:20:44,880And God knows every tear30700:20:44,880 –> 00:20:48,739that has ever rolled down your face.30800:20:49,599 –> 00:20:52,839David says, collect my tears in your bottle.30900:20:52,839 –> 00:20:56,219Are they not written in your book?31000:20:58,140 –> 00:21:00,280Perhaps you’ve endured something31100:21:01,199 –> 00:21:04,900that nobody else can really understand.31200:21:06,199 –> 00:21:09,680Other people, they don’t know the trouble31300:21:09,680 –> 00:21:11,119that is in your heart.31400:21:11,119 –> 00:21:14,020Your tears are cried in secret.31500:21:15,479 –> 00:21:18,439But God knows the pain that you carry31600:21:19,540 –> 00:21:24,000and God remembers your tears.31700:21:25,020 –> 00:21:26,479You’ve been listening to Open the Bible31800:21:26,479 –> 00:21:27,959with Pastor Colin Smith31900:21:27,959 –> 00:21:30,180and a message called God Remembers.32000:21:30,619 –> 00:21:33,119And we’ve been looking at how he does remember32100:21:33,119 –> 00:21:36,380your work, your words and we’ve started32200:21:36,380 –> 00:21:39,239to look at how he remembers your tears.32300:21:39,239 –> 00:21:41,420We’ll continue with that and also see32400:21:41,420 –> 00:21:43,719how God also looks at your desires,32500:21:45,800 –> 00:21:48,219how God also remembers your desires32600:21:48,219 –> 00:21:50,239but he doesn’t look at your sins.32700:21:50,239 –> 00:21:51,839So I hope you’ll join us for that32800:21:51,839 –> 00:21:54,359next time on Open the Bible.32900:21:54,359 –> 00:21:56,839Open the Bible is listened to by people33000:21:56,839 –> 00:21:58,199up and down the country.33100:21:58,239 –> 00:21:59,560I’m with Open the Bible’s33200:21:59,560 –> 00:22:01,680Executive Director, John Martin.33300:22:01,680 –> 00:22:03,239John, what are listeners saying33400:22:03,239 –> 00:22:04,959when they contact you?33500:22:04,959 –> 00:22:08,119Yes, so, we get letters from all sorts33600:22:08,119 –> 00:22:10,199of listeners and some of those listeners33700:22:10,199 –> 00:22:13,599are actually inmates around UK prisons33800:22:13,599 –> 00:22:15,640and it’s wonderful to receive the news33900:22:15,640 –> 00:22:16,839that they’ve been able to listen34000:22:16,839 –> 00:22:19,739to the broadcast and they’ve been encouraged by it.34100:22:19,739 –> 00:22:21,800We’re pursuing a partnership with34200:22:21,800 –> 00:22:24,560Daylight Christian Prison Trust.34300:22:24,560 –> 00:22:27,959They have chaplains in a number of UK prisons34400:22:27,979 –> 00:22:30,280and they’re keen to use good resources34500:22:30,280 –> 00:22:31,900with those exploring faith34600:22:31,900 –> 00:22:34,500and those seeking to grow in their faith.34700:22:34,500 –> 00:22:36,140So, we’ve talked with them about34800:22:36,140 –> 00:22:37,920the possibility of getting the film34900:22:37,920 –> 00:22:39,839Heaven How I Got It into as many35000:22:39,839 –> 00:22:41,520of those prisons as possible35100:22:41,520 –> 00:22:44,239to give the chaplains the discussion guide35200:22:44,239 –> 00:22:47,280to supply the chaplains with the books or booklets.35300:22:47,280 –> 00:22:48,760So, we’re trialing that now35400:22:48,760 –> 00:22:51,280with the hope of creating a batch of DVDs35500:22:51,280 –> 00:22:53,000of the film so they can easily take35600:22:53,000 –> 00:22:56,199those in and share the good news that way.35700:22:56,239 –> 00:22:57,640There are a number of prisoners around35800:22:57,640 –> 00:22:59,660the UK who are really keen35900:22:59,660 –> 00:23:02,000to learn more about the Christian faith,36000:23:02,000 –> 00:23:03,760and so, if we can give them courses36100:23:03,760 –> 00:23:05,839that are accessible and appropriate36200:23:05,839 –> 00:23:06,900for their setting,36300:23:06,900 –> 00:23:09,140then we’re very, very eager to do that.36400:23:09,140 –> 00:23:10,619To find out more about the work36500:23:10,619 –> 00:23:11,760of Open The Bible36600:23:11,760 –> 00:23:16,359come to our website, openthebible.org.uk.36700:23:16,359 –> 00:23:18,760Well, as regular listeners will know36800:23:18,760 –> 00:23:20,160Open The Bible is supported36900:23:20,160 –> 00:23:22,180by our listeners financially.37000:23:22,180 –> 00:23:23,920If that’s something you already do,37100:23:23,920 –> 00:23:25,280then thank you so much37200:23:25,280 –> 00:23:26,719for your support.37300:23:26,719 –> 00:23:27,760If you’re considering37400:23:27,760 –> 00:23:28,739beginning to support37500:23:28,739 –> 00:23:30,560Open The Bible in the future,37600:23:30,560 –> 00:23:32,920this month we’d love to say thank you37700:23:32,920 –> 00:23:34,239by sending you a Copy37800:23:34,239 –> 00:23:35,359of Pastor Colin’s37900:23:35,359 –> 00:23:38,119brand new thirty day devotional book,38000:23:38,119 –> 00:23:39,839Grow In Love.38100:23:39,839 –> 00:23:42,079Colin, who is this book for?38200:23:42,079 –> 00:23:44,199Well, people have very different38300:23:44,199 –> 00:23:46,359experiences of love38400:23:46,359 –> 00:23:48,699and perhaps you knew what it was38500:23:48,699 –> 00:23:51,079to grow up with a Godly mother,38600:23:51,079 –> 00:23:53,180a Godly father who loved you well38700:23:53,219 –> 00:23:55,540and you’ve had all the benefits of that,38800:23:55,540 –> 00:23:57,760but you still find now you’ve come38900:23:57,760 –> 00:24:00,660to adult life that you want to know39000:24:00,660 –> 00:24:02,739how to grow in love yourself.39100:24:02,739 –> 00:24:04,459And if that’s where you’re at,39200:24:04,459 –> 00:24:06,380this book is for you.39300:24:06,380 –> 00:24:07,660But there are other folks39400:24:07,660 –> 00:24:09,579who have not had the blessing39500:24:09,579 –> 00:24:11,739of being loved well.39600:24:11,739 –> 00:24:14,140And if that’s been your experience,39700:24:14,140 –> 00:24:15,680you may find that you struggle39800:24:15,680 –> 00:24:17,300with some real questions.39900:24:17,300 –> 00:24:18,400What does it mean40000:24:18,400 –> 00:24:20,260to love another person?40100:24:20,260 –> 00:24:23,060What does real love actually look like?40200:24:23,060 –> 00:24:24,339Where are you going to find it?40300:24:24,339 –> 00:24:26,459Well you’re not sure that you know.40400:24:26,459 –> 00:24:27,699Well this book is for you.40500:24:27,699 –> 00:24:29,060It’s going to show you40600:24:29,060 –> 00:24:31,239how receiving love from God40700:24:31,239 –> 00:24:33,000through Jesus Christ40800:24:33,000 –> 00:24:34,380can put you in the position40900:24:34,380 –> 00:24:36,020where you’re able to give love41000:24:36,020 –> 00:24:38,540and receive love from others well.41100:24:38,540 –> 00:24:40,239Well, we’d love to send you a copy41200:24:40,239 –> 00:24:41,560of Pastor Colin’s book,41300:24:41,560 –> 00:24:42,640Grow in Love,41400:24:42,640 –> 00:24:44,760when you set up a new Direct Debit41500:24:44,760 –> 00:24:46,260to the work of Open the Bible41600:24:46,260 –> 00:24:49,140in the amount of £5 per month or more,41700:24:49,140 –> 00:24:51,839or a one-off gift of £60 or more,41800:24:51,839 –> 00:24:52,760this month.41900:24:52,819 –> 00:24:54,339Full terms and conditions.42000:24:54,339 –> 00:24:55,560And to give online,42100:24:55,560 –> 00:24:56,579come to our website42200:24:56,579 –> 00:24:59,699openthebible.org.uk42300:24:59,699 –> 00:25:01,180and don’t forget to leave your42400:25:01,180 –> 00:25:02,359full name and address42500:25:02,359 –> 00:25:04,959so we can send you your free gift.42600:25:04,959 –> 00:25:05,859For Open the Bible42700:25:05,859 –> 00:25:07,280and Pastor Colin Smith,42800:25:07,280 –> 00:25:08,439I’m David Pick42900:25:08,439 –> 00:25:11,000and I hope you’ll join us again next time.43000:25:11,660 –> 00:25:25,859Are you tempted to think that your service to God is in vain?43100:25:25,859 –> 00:25:27,719Find out why it’s not.43200:25:27,719 –> 00:25:30,000That’s next time on Open the Bible.