Where did this myth about “Saint Peter” at the “pearly gates” welcoming people into heaven come from? If it came from the Bible, give me book, chapter, and verse please (1 Peter 4:11). On the other hand, if it came from man, we better quit passing it on as fact and get rid of it all together. But the truth is, Peter was human just like everyone else, and he was no Pope,nor anyone special (Acts 10:25-26).
Peter was an Apostle, but so were 12 other men, and we don’t hear anyone talking about meeting “Saint Matthew” or “Saint Andrew” at the “pearly gates.” The Bible teaches that we will stand before Christ and be judged by Him, and He will be the one to allow our entrance though those “pearly gates” (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46; 7:21-23). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. In 1 Samuel 25, we are introduced to Nabal, a selfish rich man. This guy oppressed his employees daily as they broke their backs with sweat and blood to keep him rich. In verse 8, David asked Nabal to help him out with food and supplies, since he had helped Nabal shepherds look after the livestock and keep them free from thieves and wolves. But Nabal insulted David saying, “you won’t get a crumb from me” (verse 10-11). David and his men then planned to kill Nabal, but the shepherds reported their intentions to Nabal wife. And she, being a sensible woman, brought the supplies to David without Nabal knowledge, stopping the slaughter of her husband. Later on, Nabal found out that his wife helped David, and he became angry and appeared to have suffered a stroke and died (verse 35-38).
After reading this story, I wonder just how many Nabal’s are living today. This man had plenty and was too stingy to share with others. Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. We can get rid of stress by saying no to projects that are too much for us. We must realize that our stress level shoots though the roof when we allow others to overload us. The wise thing is to speak up and refuse to let men use us for dump trucks. People cannot know our limitations, so don't let them be our judges. Make sure that relaxing time is left for self and above all things, learn to trust in God (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 10:38-42; Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 5:15-16).
Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and some Christians had miraculous powers by which they healed sickness and injuries. They picked up snakes, struck men dead, blind, cast out demons, and healed with handkerchiefs and their shadows (Matthew 8:1-17; 9:1-35; 12:9-13; 14:15-36; 15:21-39; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 2:43-44; 3:1-16; 4:7-22; 5:1-16; 6:8; 7:55-56; 8:5-25; 9:6-43; 13:9-12; 14:8-12; 16:16-18; 19:11-12; 20:9-12; 28:1-10).
Ever wonder why you don't see the same powers from people who claim to have the power of the Holy Spirit? Ever wonder why these people never go in a hospital to heal, or a graveyard to raise the dead? Ever wonder why neighbors who live next door to such people don't even know they claim Holy Spirit power? And that’s because these lying people know they can’t heal(Revelation 2:2). Thats right! They can’t heal a broken hair on a dogs tail! If a person has the power of the Holy Spirit, he will be busy using that power and everyone would know about it.People suffering from gunshot wounds, car accidents, stabbing, etc, would all be healed (1 Corinthians 2:4). So beware! Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. “Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And He said unto them, strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able,” Luke 13:23-24. “Enter ye at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and many shall go there, but because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life and few there be that find it,” Matthew 7:13-14. (KJV) These are the words spoken by Jesus Christ, and distressing as the words are, they are true. People will be lost because of the refusal to submit to the commandments of God. Jesus said if man does the will of the Father, he will be saved (Matthew 7:21).
However, man loves doing things his way and not God’s way (Proverbs 14:12). For example, men refuse to accept the Bible as the infallible word of God. Men refuse to go to church. Men refuse to pray, and men refuse to believe in Jesus. Men are bold enough to deny the existence of God. With all this evil being done, it’s easy to see why most will go to hell (Psalms 12:1-8, 14:1-7; 1 Peter 4:18). Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. |