THE NEWSLETTER OF IBTM
with Douglas Jacoby

 

31 July 2026

Good morning from North Georgia!

After a rewarding time of teaching in the Caribbean—plus enjoying the World Cup—it’s great being home for a whole month. This is a golden opportunity for us to get to know our neighbors, strengthen relationships within the church family, and focus on life together as we enjoy our fifth decade of marriage.

We hope your summer is going well too, and that today you find something in this bulletin to uplift you and contribute to faithful living in Christ. Below: two talks in our “Against the Flow” series; a look at a towering figure of Christian history, William Tyndale; and 122 passages that have recently struck me—and why.

Photo: with friend Mike and our dog Beatrix, 6 mos. old.

Against the Flow

Want to jump-start your Bible study? Looking for ideas for your small group, or even a Sunday sermon? Not sure how to get started? These iFaith resources are intended to help individuals, families, and ministry leaders focus on God’s Word and spark the love of Scripture in others. Two new iFaith talks are featured today:

- From Judges: “Cycles of Sin,” recorded in Paphos, Cyprus (Acts 13:6-12). CLICK HERE

- From Ruth: “The Good—Enemy of the Best,” recorded in Perga, Turkey (Acts 13:13, 25). CLICK HERE

The Most Important Englishman in History?
by Tony Watkins (for Tyndale House)

William Tyndale was executed in late September or early October 1536 (it is commemorated on 6 October). He was strangled and then burned. According to Foxe’s Book of Martyrs before he was strangled, Tyndale cried out, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes!” His crime: having translated the Scriptures into English!

Yet that prayer was answered – at least in relation to having the Bible in English. Just two years later, on 5 September 1538, Henry VIII’s chief minister Thomas Cromwell directed that there should be an English Bible in every parish church!  KEEP READING

Photo: WNPG 1592, Called William Tyndale, Unknown artist, oil on canvas, late 17th or early 18th century. © National Portrait Gallery, London

“Lord, open the eyes of the king of England!” — William Tyndale

122 Gospel Passages That Have Struck Me Lately

Allow me to share from my own personal study of Scripture. Perhaps this will inspire you to dig deeper, or to select some key texts as you become ever more familiar with God’s Word. 122 gospel passages have meant a lot to me of late. It’s good to be challenged—to be reminded of who we are as children of God and also of the glorious things he has prepared for us (1 Cor 2:9).

Please click HERE for my complete list—words of Jesus it is wholesome to ponder. Often they reminded me of biblical truths I hadn’t considered for some time. Other times they fortified my resolve to keep moving forward (like teams in the World Cup).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Your prayers and financial support are always appreciated—and in fact essential for the operation of the global teaching ministry.

Thank you, thank you for your sacrifice.

For all bulletins 2004-2026 (100s of pages of biblical material), click here. Access the website here. New material every week—typically, every day! Become a website member ($1/week, paid annually) here. Your membership is a tremendous boost to this ministry. To donate, click here.