Mr. Dentist & the Problem of Pain

Have you ever had your mouth filled with instruments by your dentist and you've wanted to say something but couldn't? Then you will love "The Dentist Survival Kit." It has 30 cards that say things like "Your knuckle is crushing my face," "Fine . . . and you?" "I need to wash my mouth out. Now." "Your machine has just sucked up my tonsils." Ray spoke to a group of doctors and dentists recently and read some of the cards, and there was such a good response to them we decided to add one more card — one with a gospel message — to make the pack evangelistic. You can give them as a gift to a friend or family member (or your dentist), make them laugh, and know that there is a clear gospel presentation in the pack (below).

My dentist is an oral "hygienist" yet he has a foul mouth. He cusses horribly. He stepped backwards when I once tried to speak to him about his relationship with God. So I told him that I allowed him to drill decay, because if he didn't I could lose my teeth. God wants to drill the decay of sin out of our lives, even though it's painful. Open wide and let's examine your soul: Have you ever lied or stolen, used God's name in vain, or looked with lust? Then you are a lying thief, a blasphemer, and an adulterer at heart. Jesus said, "Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." On Judgment Day, you will end up in Hell. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus took the punishment for your sins and rose from the dead, defeating death. Repent and trust Him: "Dear God, please forgive my sins (name them). I turn from them and trust Jesus today. Amen." Read the Bible daily and obey it (see John 14:21). Thanks for reading this, Ray Comfort. Go to www.livingwaters.com - "Save Yourself Some Pain."

Save Yourself Some Pain
Becoming a Christian is the most incredible event that will ever take place in your life. You have found peace with your Creator. You have found everlasting life! Be assured--God will never leave you nor forsake you. He has brought you this far and He will complete the wonderful work He has begun in you. God knows your every thought, your every care and your deepest concerns.

Let's now look at some of those possible concerns. First, and of primary concern -- do you have "assurance" of your salvation? The Bible says to "make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10, italics added), so, let's go through a short "checklist" to make sure that you are truly saved:

Are you aware that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14, KJV), and that he
Did you come to the Savior because you had sinned?
Did you "repent" and put your faith in Jesus?
Are you convinced that He suffered and died on the Cross and that He rose again on the third day?
God acquits us from the Courtroom of Eternal Justice on the grounds that Jesus Christ paid our fine. We are "justified" (made right with God) by His suffering death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was God's seal of approval of the fact that His precious blood was sufficient to pay the fine.

Think of it this way... You have violated the law and face a $50,000 fine. You tell the judge that you are truly sorry for your crime, but he answers, "So you should be -- you have broken the law! Now, can you pay this fine?" He can only acquit you if the fine is paid. If someone else pays your fine, then he can let you go, but he must have "grounds" on which to release you.

The reason we need a substitute (a savior) to pay our moral "fine," is because we have broken God's Law. To see how much we have transgressed this Law (the Ten Commandments), we will go through some of them -- Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen something? Have you ever lusted after another person? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, you admit that you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart, and you have to face God on Judgment Day! If you have used His name in vain, then you are guilty of "blasphemy" -- you've substituted God's holy Name for a curse word. Perhaps you've hated someone, then the Bible says that you are a murderer. You have violated God's holy Law, and you're in BIG trouble. On Judgment Day, you will be found guilty and end up in Hell. That's why you need the Savior. Merely being sorry for your sins, or confessing them to God won't help you. You must turn from sin (repent), and your faith must be in Jesus Christ alone. He is the only "grounds" for God to grant mercy towards you. If you're not sure of your salvation, make Psalm 51 your own prayer.

Let's now look at some more important principles that can save you a great deal of pain...



Troubleshoot
If you know the Lord, nothing will shake your faith. It is true that the man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument. Take for example a little boy who is looking at a heater. His father warns him that it's hot.
Tithing
It was once said that the wallet is the "last frontier"-- that it’s the last thing that comes to God in surrender. But it should be the first, along with our surrendered heart.

Water Baptism
The Bible Says , "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. . ." (Acts 2:38). There is therefore no question as to whether or not you should be baptized. The questions are how, when, and by whom?
Giving Thanks
For the Christian, every day should be Thanksgiving Day. We should even be thankful in the midst of problems.

Fellowship
Pray about where you should fellowship. Make sure the place you are going to call your church home calls sin what it is -- sin. Do they believe the promises of God? Are they loving? Does the pastor treat his wife with respect? Is he a man of the Word? Does he have a humble heart, and a gentle spirit?
Spiritual Warfare
When you became a Christian, you stepped right into the heat of an age-old battle. You have a three-fold enemy--the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Prayer
It has been well said that God always answers prayer. Sometimes He says, "Yes." sometimes He says, "NO." Sometimes He says, "Wait for a minute," and a day to the Lord is a thousand years to us (2 Peter 3:8). That means that a ten year wait for us, is 14 minutes and 24 seconds to God, so ask in faith, but rest in peace-filled patience.
Evangelism
It was late in December, 1996. A large family gathered in Los Angeles for the joyous occasion of wrapping Christmas presents. It was a big family because it was the product of two marriages.

Faith
When a young man once looked at me and said, "I find it hard to believe some of the things in the Bible," I smiled and asked, "What's your name?" When he said, "Paul," I casually answered, "I don't believe you." He looked at me questioningly.
Daily Bible Reading
A healthy baby has a healthy appetite. If you have truly been "born" of the Spirit of God, you will have a healthy appetite. The Bible says, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby," (1 Peter 2:2). Feed yourself every day without fail.