The Newsletter of IBTM
with Douglas Jacoby

Good morning from rainy Bare, England—and Happy New Year!

First off, thanks for your end-of-year donations. These ensure IBTM is well positioned to continue to support Bible teachers, both men and women, globally in 2024. We sincerely appreciate your trust.

Today’s bulletin features two guest articles, as well as a playful rewriting of the Ten Commandments. Also, if you haven’t checked out our January daily devotional series, “On Location with Jesus,” please do. (Scroll all the way down.)

THE DEVIL’S DECALOGUE

I was recently thinking about the Evil One, and began playing devil’s advocate—so to speak. If he had the power to rewrite the Ten Commandments (the Decalogue), how would he do it? How might one twist the truth and oppose the purposes of God (John 8:44)?

I was pretty sure my idea wasn’t original—an understatement!—but I charged ahead anyway. Here’s what I came up with. Compare these to God’s Decalogue (Exodus 20). Each of the Devil’s commandments rewrites / rejects God’s clear instructions. What do you think?

  1. Worship me—or yourself (equally good).
  2. Fill your life with idols—the American dream, money, hero worship, identity politics.
  3. Speak the truth when convenient. It's okay to use the Lord's name to achieve your worldly goals.
  4. Produce, make money, stay busy.
  5. Let no one tell you want to do—parents, teachers, law...
  6. Murder: the unborn, the, elderly, the infirm, and your enemy, if you want.
  7. Enjoy sex without regard to marriage or commitment.
  8. Take all you can, give nothing back (pirate code)!
  9. Misrepresent, shade, spin.
  10. Always keep up with the neighbors!

I’VE LIVED IN A POST-CHRISTMAS WORLD AND DON’T WANT TO GO BACK (Christian Ray Flores)

I grew up in the socialist bloc, where Christmas was hijacked as a concept and stripped of the Divine.

The Christmas tree became the New Year’s tree; the gifts under it were New Year's gifts. Santa Claus became Father Frost. The family feel and cheerfulness remained, but the epic story did not.

KEEP READING

HELP! I DON’T LIKE EVANGELIZING (David Hames)

You have probably clicked on this article because you find evangelism hard, daunting, or awkward. You’ve felt the cold shiver down your spine when the e-word has been mentioned in church. You’ve sipped the strange cocktail of love for the lost and an honest desire to speak about Jesus mixed with clumsy attempts at witness, guilt, and shame. Why do others seem to feel so much more natural at evangelism than you?

… You’re not alone in feeling that way.  KEEP READING

WINTER CLOTHES

From Nadine Templer, Kathmandu

Thank you so much for the money your ministry raised to provide winter clothes for the schoolchildren here in Kathmandu. As you know, it gets cold here in Kathmandu during the winter months, and there is no heating in the houses or in the school, nor proper insulation.

This year we were able to buy thermals for everyone, coats for all who had outworn or outgrown the ones you gave us last year, as well as sweaters, socks, shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, and more. The students are all warm and cozy, thanks to you!

To all our IBTM supporters who rose up to meet the needs, we are truly grateful! — Douglas & Vicki

AIM FAMILY LIFE WITH GUY HAMMOND

Coming up: AIM (US) Family Life, 13 Jan-17 Feb 2024. Special holiday price: 50% off. For more, visit the Athens Institute online. CLICK HERE for the promotional video.

The Saturday classes (9:30am - 1:00pm):

  • “For the Sake of the Kingdom of Heaven": Singleness as a Positive Choice — Joseph Harris
  • Anger and Reactivity in the Home — Douglas Jacoby
  • Respecting Our Children, Whatever Their Decisions — Guy Hammond

ON LOCATION WITH JESUS

Follow the path of Jesus as he comes to earth, grows up, launches his ministry, and touches lives throughout the region of Israel. Each day brings us to a new site important in the life of Christ — 31 talks in all. The series comes with 45 helpful maps, drawings, and photographs.

Every year since 2008 we've provided a month of daily (audio) devotionals, starting 1 January. So if you're looking for ideas or structure for your daily devotionals, this may be for you. Join Vicki and me on this biblical itinerary.

"Traveling" with Jesus helps us to travel better with our brothers and sisters on the journey.  ACCESS HERE (with your subscription credentials)

THANKS FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP

Next Wednesday I’ll be en route to Iceland, to deliver talks on “Where is God is This Crazy World?”

I covet your prayers! — D.J.