In this month’s edition of “Turning Points” magazine, there is an article by Dr. David Jeremiah entitled “Bridging the Generation Gap.” He writes: “Think about the last time your family gathered for a holiday celebration – say, Thanksgiving or Christmas of last year. Or consider the last time you attended a family reunion. How many generations of your extended family were present at those events?” He then notes that in the United States people are living longer than they did a century ago. In 1900, average life expectancy in the United States was 47 years, while in 2024 average life expectancy rose to 79 years.

As I read more of Dr. Jeremiah’s article, I learned that former president and I are part of the Baby Boomer Generation (born 1946-1964). “As World War II ended, soldiers made their way home and resumed family life. The low birth rates of the prior generation gave way to a ‘baby boom’ resulting in a surge in the American population.

As the early baby boomers reached college-age in the 1960s and 1970s, they sparked a cultural revolution on campuses across the country. Opposition to America’s involvement in the Vietnam War fueled revolutions in music, sex, religion, and cultural standards. The cultural disorientation also led to a surge of spiritual renewal characterized by the Jesus movement in which baby boomers discovered faith in Christ.”

While changes in our health, work, and living conditions prompt us to react accordingly, we know that some things remain the same. As Dr. Jeremiah notes: “Mankind’s needs, desires, aspirations, struggles, and questions do not change from one generation to the next. That means God’s answers to mankind’s needs do not change either.

God doesn’t change, nor does His truth. Because the needs of mankind do not change either, the task of the Church remains the same. Yes, methods may change, but the message never does! Regardless of which generation we are a part of, our mission remains the same. The Bible, the Church, evangelism, salvation by faith, and discipleship are the constants, regardless of the passage of time.”

In an article entitled “No More Fear,” Dr. Jeremiah includes the following: “In his book on heaven, D. L. Moody told about a father that he met in New York. That father had a son who was periodically ill. No one really thought his illness was serious until the child took a turn for the worse, when the doctor informed the mother that the boy’s disease was terminal and that he would not live for more than a few days.

When the father came home from work that night, he saw his wife weeping and he asked her why. ‘There has been a great change in our boy since morning,’ the mother said. ‘The doctor tells me that he is very ill and may not live out the night.’

When the father went in to see his son, it was apparent that the boy knew what was going on. He looked up at his dad and said, ‘I will be with Jesus tonight, won’t I?’ The father answered, ‘Yes, son, it is very likely that you will be with Jesus tonight.’

As the father spoke, tears streamed down his face and he tried to hide them from his boy. But the boy saw the tears and said, ‘Father, don’t you cry for me; when I get to heaven, I will go straight to Jesus and tell Him that ever since I can remember, you have tried to lead me to Him.’”

Do you know that if you were to die tonight that you would go to heaven? If you’re not sure, you can be sure by asking God’s forgiveness for your sins and trusting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. As recorded by the disciple John, Jesus declared: “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40).          

                                             Praise the Lord for His amazing love!

Steve