Luke 23:39-43 (NIV) 39  One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you
the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40  But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under thesame sentence?  41  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But thisman has done nothing wrong.” 42  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43  Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”



I want to show you three things we can learn from this statement from Jesus’ final words.
Three things that if we do them, they help us to get through a bad day.



1. Remember why you’re still here. 
Luke 23:42 (NIV) 42  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”



Luke 19:10 (NIV) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”



2. Think Long term
Luke 23:43 (NIV) 43  Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”



Psalm 30:5 (NIV) Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.



James 4:14 (NIV) What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes. 



Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes
judgment



Hebrews 9:27 (MSG) 27-28  Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ’s death
was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever.



3. Make the most of every opportunity.
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT) 15  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who
are wise…  16  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.