Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 26

IS YOUR NAME IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?

From: December 26, 2025

“… And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast…” (Revelation 17:8 ESV).

The apostle John wrote Revelation to the persecuted churches in Asia Minor who were pressured to compromise with the idolatrous powers of the world. In this vision, John described a beast empowered by Satan whose apparent revival caused the unbelieving world to marvel and follow him. John explained that this deception did not affect everyone. Those whose names had been written in the “book of life” from the foundation of the world were not deceived. John showed that belonging to this book did not originate in human effort, but in God’s sovereign grace. Those not written in the book were easily deceived, while those written in the book were preserved.

Do you know whether your name is in the “Book of Life?” We have many books and records in this world. We keep records of births, graduations, marriage, and even death. But there is no “Book of Life” in this world. This “book” is kept in heaven. It is a timeless book and therefore the names therein were written before time started ticking. Those whose names are in the Book have believed in Christ as the Lamb of God and therefore reject all false world religions. Yet, those “whose names are not written” in the Book are easily deceived by the false religions of the world. They will reject the truth and believe the lie (Rom. 1:25, 2 Thess. 2:11). In the last days, a great worldwide religious delusion will encompass the nations and only those whose name is in the Book will see it for the lie that it is.

Can you “know” whether your name is in the Book of Life? Oh yes! The apostle John explained how you can “know” with confidence in his first epistle: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:12-13).

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that we can know our name is in Your book of life by believing in Your Son as Lord and Savior. Strengthen us to take this message to all the world as Your Son has commissioned us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

BEHOLD, YOUR KING HAS COME!

From: December 26, 2024

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9 ESV).

Zechariah’s prophecy, written 500 years before Christ, reveals the coming of a King unlike any other. Unlike earthly rulers who often assert their power through conquest and pride, this King comes in humility, riding on a donkey. He is righteous and brings salvation to His people. Zechariah speaks of a moment filled with hope and anticipation—a foretelling of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who triumphantly entered Jerusalem on a donkey just as it was prophesied (Matthew 21:5).

Have you received Him as King of your life? Have you received the salvation that He brings? For the one born King has come and He has come unto us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have received Jesus as our Savior and Lord. He has saved us and through Him we have been adopted as Your children. We celebrate His coming and we long for His soon return. May we rejoice greatly because of Christ Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.

WHAT WE OWE THE NEXT GENERATION

From: December 26, 2023

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power” (Psalm 145:4 NLT).

The psalmist David spoke of the profound job that each generation has to tell its children about God, both His mighty acts and power. The Israelites who took possession of the Promised Land were faithful, but they failed at passing the faith on to their children.

So, the author of the book of Judges observed: “After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

Like the passing of the baton in a relay race, each generation must pass the baton of faith to the next. Yet it is up to that generation to take the baton and run with it. Each generation must respond to the gospel for themselves in order to believe and become children of God.

The most important task for every generation is to tell their children of God’s greatest act and expression of His power, namely the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. For it is in telling this good news to them that they are given the best gift one generation can pass to another.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the faithful generations that went before us that the gospel might be handed down to us. Now empower us to do the same that our children and children’s children might know and follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles” (Psalm 145:5 NLT).

From: December 26, 2022

MEDITATING ON THE MAJESTY

David was determined to “meditate” on the Lord’s “majestic glorious splendor” and on His “wonderful miracles.” The miracles seem obvious enough to consider. Whatever is beyond natural explanation, whatever seems to be an interruption or suspension of natural law, so that God is the only explanation, these are miracles, are they not? So, David was determined to consider God’s miracles.

But what of God’s “majestic glorious splendor?” What is this? And what is this “meditation” that David was determined to do? The Hebrew translated “meditation” might also be rendered “to study” or “to talk to oneself.” David was intent on a personal study of God’s attributes. He wanted to meditate on God’s regal and heroic brilliance, the weighty beauty of His Highness. He was determined to stare into the sun of God’s perfection and omnipotence.

There are many things in the universe to think about and study. But David was keen on theology, which is the study of God. Let us join David in this pursuit. Let us pull our thoughts off the immediate for a moment and meditate on the majesty of our Lord and our God.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we study and think on many things, but we rarely give sufficient thought to You. Forgive us. Help us to lift our eyes to see You and our ears to hear You. Speak Lord, for we are listening. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14 NKJV).

From: December 26, 2021

CHRIST THE LAMB HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD

In the apostle John’s revelation, he saw a beast with ten horns, which represents the Antichrist and the ten nations that unite to follow him. They unite to “make war with the Lamb,” which is Christ Jesus, and with “those who are with Him.” Yet, those who make war against Him are doomed to destruction. For the Lamb is “Lord of lords and King of kings” and He will “overcome them.” And so too will those who are with Him, who are “called, chosen, and faithful.”

What John saw is yet to come, but we have seen its rehearsal over and over throughout human history. For as John observed in his first epistle, “The spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, is now already in the world” (1 John 4:3). This spirit is at work in every worldly kingdom and nation, no matter how goodly its beginning. For they all eventually devolve into idolatry, calling darkness, light and evil, good. So they “make war” against the Lamb and His Church in every generation. This will continue until the curtain opens on the final act, the ultimate battle foreseen in John’s revelation.

Until then, remember what John also wrote: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). As our Lord Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

PRAYER: Dear Father, sometimes we look at the condition of our nation and of our world, and we despair. Evil seems to be winning. Even our own government and courts make laws that are contrary to Your Word. Yet, we will not be overcome or discouraged. For we are the called, the chosen, and the faithful. We are the overcomers who follow Your Son, the One who has overcome the world. He lives in us. Strengthen us this day for the battle is real. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14 NKJV).

From: December 26, 2020

CHRIST THE LAMB HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD

In the apostle John’s revelation, he saw a beast with ten horns, which is the Antichrist and the ten nations that unite to follow him. They unite to “make war with the Lamb,” which is Christ Jesus, and with “those who are with Him.” Yet, they are doomed to destruction. For the Lamb is “Lord of lords and King of kings” and He will “overcome them.” And so too will those who are with Him, who are “called, chosen, and faithful.”

What John saw is yet to come, but we have seen its rehearsal over and over throughout human history. For as John observed in his first epistle, “The spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, is now already in the world” (1 John 4:3). This spirit is at work in every worldly kingdom and nation, no matter how goodly its beginning. For they all eventually devolve into idolatry, calling darkness, light and evil, good. So they “make war” against the Lamb and His Church in every generation. This will continue until the curtain opens on the final act, the ultimate battle foreseen in John’s revelation.

Until then, remember what John also wrote: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). As our Lord Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

PRAYER: Dear Father, sometimes we look at the condition of our nation and of our world, and we despair. Evil seems to be winning. Even our own government and courts make laws that are contrary to Your Word. Yet, we will not be overcome or discouraged. For we are the called, the chosen, and the faithful. We are the overcomers who follow Your Son, the One who has overcome the world. He lives in us. Strengthen us this day for the battle is real. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power” (Psalm 145:4 NLT).

From: December 26, 2019

GOD DOES NOT HAVE GRANDCHILDREN

Each generation must respond to the gospel for themselves in order to believe and become children of God. The faith must be passed on like a baton in a relay race. The Israelites who took possession of the Promised Land were faithful, but they neglected the command to pass their faith on to their children. So, the author of the book of Judges observed: “After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). Every good parent wants their children to be well educated. But every godly parent knows that the most important task is to teach their children of God’s “mighty acts,” so that they might be saved. God does not have grandchildren.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the faithful generations that went before us that the gospel might be handed down to us. Now empower us to do the same that our children and children’s children might know and follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles” (Psalm 145:5 NLT).

From: December 26, 2018

MEDITATING ON THE MAJESTY

David was determined to “meditate” on the Lord’s “majestic glorious splendor” and on His “wonderful miracles.” The miracles seem obvious enough to consider. Whatever is beyond natural explanation, whatever seems to be an interruption or suspension of natural law, so that God is the only explanation, these are miracles, are they not? So, David was determined to consider God’s miracles.

But what of God’s “majestic glorious splendor?” What is this? And what is this “meditation” that David was determined to do? The Hebrew translated “meditation” might also be rendered “to study” or “to talk to oneself.” David was intent on a personal study of God’s attributes. He wanted to meditate on God’s regal and heroic brilliance, the weighty beauty of His Highness. He was determined to stare into the sun of God’s perfection and omnipotence.

There are many things in the universe to think about and study. But David was keen on theology, which is the study of God.

Let us join David in this pursuit. Let us pull our thoughts off the immediate for a moment and meditate on the majesty of our Lord.

“…whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world…” (Revelation 17:8 NKJV).

From: December 26, 2017

Do you know whether your name is in the “Book of Life?” We have many books and records in this world. We keep records of births, graduations, marriage, and even death. But there is no “Book of Life” in this world. This “book” is kept in heaven. It is a timeless book and therefore the names therein were written before time started ticking. Those whose names are in the Book have believed in Christ as the Lamb of God and therefore reject all false world religions. Yet, those “whose names are not written” in the Book are easily deceived by the false religions of the world. They will reject the truth and believe the lie (Rom. 1:25, 2 Thess. 2:11). In the last days, a great worldwide religious delusion will encompass the nations and only those whose name is in the Book will see it for the lie that it is.

Can you “know” whether your name is in the Book of Life? Oh yes! The apostle John explained how you can “know” with confidence in his first epistle:

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:12-13).

“They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14 ESV)

From: December 26, 2016

The book of Revelation speaks of a time when there will be a united world government and world religion ( called “Babylon”) that will “make war” against the followers of Jesus (“the Lamb”). But they will not prevail, for when Jesus returns, He will come as “Lord of lords and King of kings.” No nation nor power will be able to stand against Him. Nor will they be able to overcome His followers, who are … (1) “Called” – They have heard the gospel call of Christ and have believed, confessing Him as Lord and Savior. (2) “Chosen” – Having answered the call of the gospel, they realize that they were first chosen by the Father before they ever knew Him and that they have been adopted into His family. (3) “Faithful” – They will persevere in the faith because they are sealed with the Holy Spirit who keeps them through all things. When things in the world seem to come against the followers of Christ, stay awake and stand firm! For these things must come. And remember to rejoice, for Christ has already overcome the world!