The church that doesn't want to grow is saying to the world, "go to hell."

Be grateful for who you are and whatever you have. Everything you have is a gift from God.

He (God) usually prefers to work through people rather than perform miracles, so that we will depend on each other for fellowship.

You may have done some really nifty things in life, but if you think they're going to get you into Heaven, forget it. The only way any of us are going to get in is by receiving God's gift of grace, which is available to every person.

Then Jesus changed the situation. When he paid for our sins on the cross, the veil in the temple that symbolized our separation from God was split from top to bottom, indicating that direct access to God was once again available.

God uses everything for good in our lives.

I do know I'm going to heaven. I have read all of the Scriptures and the passages that define paradise and things like that. To me, what matters is I'm going to be with Jesus and I'm going to be in his presence. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. At that point, you know some to judgment, some to salvation.