BibleHub.com Genesis 1:27-3:22 (ESV) 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 1:31  And God saw everything that he had Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Article 1 - God's right to condemn all people Today: Mark 1

Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 14: God’s Use of Means in

Today: John 17

The final promise Jesus made before dying is the most comforting of all. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 57 Q. How does “the resurrection of the body” comfort you? A. Not only my soul will be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head, but even my very flesh, raised by the power of Christ, will be reunited with my soul and made like Christ’s glorious body. Summary This is a story of two criminals, one hanging on either side of Jesus, but both looking at their present situation from vastly different perspectives. To call them 'criminals,' or even 'thieves' as the older translations put it, is an understatement. In modern parlance, these guys would be classified as terrorists or insurrectionists guilty of murdering multiple people and fomenting violence wherever they went. Regardless of how they're referred to, they represent two different types of people in this world. The one insults and belittles the Son of God hanging next to him, since God is not giving him exactly what he wants. The other better understands the reality of the situation: God is giving the both of them exactly what they deserve. It's this ability to look past the lies that come from within - an ability given by the Holy Spirit - that results in the proper attitude as he approaches his maker: This second, humbled criminal fears God. But notice this properly grounded fear of God doesn't result in terror and dread, rather it brings about one simple request to the Savior innocently suffering the same punishment as him: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus' reply, likely coming between gasps for air as he hung, forms the foundation for one of the most comforting doctrines in the Bible. He says to this sinner turned saint, "Today you shall be with me in paradise." Dig Deeper Although this criminal's theology was spot on in his dying moments, it certainly wasn't well developed or comprehensively applied to life. He'd likely never read the Bible, and the only thing he knew about God's law was how to break it. But he obviously wasn't saved because of his lifetime of faithful service or good deeds, nor because of what he knew about the man hanging in the middle. Rather, his salvation came because of what Christ remembered of him, that he was a child of the God he ultimately came to fear, chosen before the creation of the universe to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Today we're focusing on the immediacy of the criminal's salvation. Because of this short conversation between two dying men, you can have absolute certainty that those you've known who placed their faith in Jesus Christ instantly were welcomed into paradise upon drawing their final breath. In addition, you can live the life of gratitude that this criminal would have most certainly lived had he been given the chance, knowing that you're last day in this life will instantly give way to your first day in eternity. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father God, who judges justly and calls all sinners to account. ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will live with the assurance of and gratitude for your sure salvation. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Romans 10

Faithlife.com PSALM 118 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting lovingkindness is everlasting.” 3 Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 4

The Bible App PSALM 116 1 I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications. 2 Because The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. 4 Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 44 Q. Why does the Apostles' creed add, “Jesus descended to hell”? A.

Exodus 5:1–21 (NIV) 5 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the L ORD , the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the L ORD our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword.” 4   the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped ( Ex. 4:

PSALM 104 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; 4

Psalm 95 (NASB95) 1 O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, 4

Things are as good as they will ever be for the Israelites. 2 Samuel 11:1–16 (NIV) 11 In the spring, The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4  Then David Canons of Dordt Point V, Article 4 - The Danger of True Believers’ Falling into Serious Sins Although