Ive noticed that flint & steel can't be used anymore but I have lit blocks up on my land from prior use, is it gone forever, is it a bug. The reason I bring that up is I've tried to make a nether portal because the nether in spawn is basically destroyed

Are you sure its the correct size?

The portal is the right size but I just found out flint and steel is disabled in Pearl, they don't trust us with fire!

You should be able to light a portal now.