Tag: God

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

September 23, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: THE EDUCATION THAT PREPARES FOR ETERNAL LEARNING 

TEXTS: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa. 55: 6, 8-9, KJV. 

Paul says: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this ONE THING I DO, forgetting those things which are behind, and REACHING FORTH which are before, I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK for the prize of the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as BE PERFECT, be THUS MINDED: and if in any thing ye be OTHERWISE minded, God shall REVEAL even this unto you.” Phil. 3: 13-15. 

We resume quoting Ellen G. White’s book, Education, pp. 19, 20 (all emphases and bracketed words provided):

   Q. What is the divine Educator and Teacher’s ideal, goal, object, and standard to attain for those who claim to be God’s children? 

    “Higher than the human thought can reach is God’s ideal for His children. Godliness—GODLIKENESS—is the goal to be reached.        

    “Before the student [of God’s word in the ‘school of Christ’] is opened a path of CONTINUAL PROGRESS, he has an OBJECT to achieve, a STANDARD to attain, that includes everything that is GOOD, and PURE, and NOBLE. He will advance AS FAST and AS FAR as possible in every branch of TRUE KNOWLEDGE. But his EFFORTS will be directed to objects AS MUCH HIGHER than mere SELFISH AND TEMPORAL interests as the heavens are higher than the earth.

   “He [the human teacher or instructor] who CO-OPERATES with the DIVINE PURPOSE in imparting to the youth [literally and spiritually] A KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and molding the character into HARMONY with His, does a high and noble work. 

    “As he awakens a DESIRE [in his students] to reach God’s ideal, he presents AN EDUCATION THAT IS AS HIGH AS HEAVEN AND AS BROAD AS THE UNIVERSE; AN EDUCATION THAT CANNOT BE COMPLETED IN THIS LIFE, but that will be CONTINUED IN THE LIFE TO COME; an education that secures to the successful student his PASSPORT from the PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF EARTH to the higher grade, the school above.” (End extract) 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

September 16, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: TO TEACH STUDENTS TO BECOME THINKERS, NOT MERE REFLECTORS OF OTHER MEN’S THOUGHTS 

Texts: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2: 5. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance  in the saints” Ephesians 1: 17, 18, KJV. 

Did the school/s where you were educated and acquired whatever degrees/specialties with corresponding diplomas, fulfill this fundamental purpose of education, that is, according to the God’s desire and plan? 

Read on from this continuing extracts from the book Education, by Ellen G. White, p. 17 (all emphasis and bracketed words provided):

    “Every human being,  [originally] created in the image of God, is endowed with a POWER akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and do. The men [and women] in whom this power is DEVELOPED are the men who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character. 

    “It is the work of TRUE EDUCATION to develop this power, to train the youth to be THINKERS, and NOT MERE REFLECTORS OF OTHER MEN’S THOUGHTS. 

    “Instead of confining their study to that which men have said or written, let students be directed to the SOURCE OF TRUTH, to the vast field opened to research in NATURE AND REVELATION [the Holy Scriptures]. 

     “Let them contemplate the GREAT FACTS OF DUTY AND DESTINY, and the MIND will expand and strengthen. Instead of EDUCATED WEAKLINGS, institutions of learning may send forth men strong to think and act, men who are masters, not slaves of circumstances, men who possess breadth of mind, clearness of thought, and the courage of their convictions. 

    “Such an education provides more than mental discipline; it provides more than physical training. It strengthens the CHARACTER, so that TRUTH AND UPRIGHTNESS are NOT SACRIFICED to selfish desire or worldly ambition [!]. Instead of some MASTER PASSION becoming a power to destroy, every motive and desire are brought into CONFORMITY to the GREAT PRINCIPLES OF RIGHT [as clearly defined in God’s law]. 

    “As the PERFECTION OF HIS CHARACTER is dwelt upon, the mind is renewed, and the soul [the whole living person] is re-created in the IMAGE OF GOD.”

   Q. “What education can be higher than this? What can equal it in value? 

    Ans. Read Job 28: 15-18 for yourself in your Bible, preferably the Authorized Version or the KJV. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

September 9, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: CREATIVE WORKS AND WRITTEN WORD: BASIS OF TRUE EDUCATION

Texts: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. . . “ Ps. 19: 1-4. “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. . . for He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” 33: 5, 9, KJV. 

We resume quoting from

the inspired pen of Ellen G. White on this vital subject (all emphases and bracketed words supplied): 

    “Since God is the Source of all true knowledge, it is, as we have seen, THE FIRST OBJECT OF EDUCATION to direct our minds to His own revelation of Himself. Adam and Eve received direct communion with God; and they learned of Him THROUGH HIS WORKS. All created things, IN THEIR ORIGINAL PERFECTION, were an expression of the THOUGHT OF GOD. To Adam and Eve NATURE WAS TEEMING WITH DIVINE WISDOM. 

    “But by the transgression, MAN WAS CUT OFF from learning from God through DIRECT COMMUNION, and to great degree, through His

works [of creation]. The earth [now] marred and defiled by sin, reflects but DIMLY, the Creator’s glory. 

    “It is true that His OBJECT LESSONS ARE NOT OBLITERATED. Upon every page of the GREAT VOLUME

of His created works may STILL be traced His handwriting. NATURE STILL SPEAKS OF HER CREATOR [versus the atheistical naysayers and godless evolutionists]. 

    “Yet these revelations are [now] partial and imperfect [defiled and marred by sin]. And in our FALLEN STATE, with weakened powers and restricted vision, we are INCAPABLE of interpreting aright. WE NEED THE FULLER REVELATION OF HIMSELF THAT GOD HAS GIVEN IN THE WITNESS OF HIS WORD.” 

   “The Holy Scriptures are the PERFECT STANDARD OF TRUTH, and as such should be given the HIGHEST PLACE IN EDUCATION. To obtain an

education WORTHY of the name, we must receive a KNOWLEDGE OF GOD [the Creator] and of CHRIST, the Redeemer, as THEY are revealed on the Sacred Word.” – End quote from Education, pp. 16, 17. 

This is what we are striving to do in this ministry by God’s grace. To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

September 2, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: TRUE ‘HIGHER EDUCATION’ AND ITS ORIGIN AND SOURCE 

TRUE ‘HIGHER EDUCATION’ AND ITS ORIGIN AND SOURCE 

We resume quoting from the inspired pen of Ellen G. White in her book, Education, pp. 13, 14 (all emphases and bracketed words provided): 

   “Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is a need of a broader scope, a higher aim. 

     “TRUE EDUCATION MEANS MORE THAN THE PURSUIT OF A CERTAIN COURSE OF STUDY. It means more than a preparation for the life that NOW is. It has to do with the WHOLE BEING, and with the WHOLE PERIOD OF EXISTENCE possible to man. 

   “It is the HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It PREPARES the student for the JOY OF SERVICE IN THIS WORLD and the HIGHER JOY OF WIDER SERVICE IN THE WORLD TO COME. 

    “The SOURCE of such education is brought to view in these words of Holy Writ, pointing to the Infinite One: In Him ‘are hid all the treasures of wisdom.’ Colossians 2: 3. ‘He hath counsels and understanding.’ Job 12: 13. 

    “In these days much is said  concerning the nature and importance of ‘higher education.’ THE TRUE ‘HIGHER EDUCATION’ is that imparted by Him ‘with whom is wisdom and strength’ (Job 12:13), out of whose mouth ‘cometh knowledge and understanding.’ Proverbs 2:6. 

     “In the knowledge of God all true knowledge and real development have their SOURCE. Wherever we turn, in the physical, the mental, or spiritual realm; in whatever we behold, APART FROM THE BLIGHT OF SIN, this knowledge is revealed. Whatever line of investigation we pursue, WITH A SINCERE PURPOSE TO ARRIVE AT TRUTH, we are brought in touch with the unseen, Mighty Intelligence that is working IN and THROUGH all. 

    “The MIND OF MAN is brought into COMMUNION with the MIND OF GOD, the FINITE with the INFINITE. The effect of such a communion on body, mind, and soul is BEYOND ESTIMATE. 

    “IN THIS COMMUNION IS FOUND THE HIGHEST EDUCATION. IT IS GOD’S OWN METHOD OF DEVELOPMENT. ‘Acquaint now thyself with Him’ (Job 22: 21), is His message to MANKIND. 

    “The method outlined in these words was the method followed in the education of the father of our race. When in the GLORY OF SINLESS MANHOOD Adam stood in holy Eden, it was thus that God instructed him [the communion ‘method’ described]. 

   “[Thusly], in order to understand WHAT IS COMPREHENDED in the work of [true] education, we need to consider both the NATURE OF MAN and the PURPOSE OF GOD in creating him [‘in His image and after His likeness’]. We need to consider also THE CHANGE in man’s condition through the coming in of ‘knowledge of evil,’ and God’s PLAN for still fulfilling the GLORIOUS PURPOSE IN THE EDUCATION OF THE HUMAN RACE [both before and after fall of man in Eden].” (End of extract). 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

August 26, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

 LAW OF LOVE: BASIS OF TRUE EDUCATION OF MAN 

Scripture text: 

   “Then one of them [the Pharisees], which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting (testing) Him, and saying, Master, which is the GREAT COMMANDMENT in the law? Jesus said unto him, 

The first and great commandment is, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength (might), and with all thy mind.” Luke 10: 27, KJV.

Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt LOVE THE LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE THY NEIGHBOR as thyself. ON THESE TWO HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.” Matt. 22: 35-40, KJV. 

Continuing from last week’s extract from her book Education, p. 16, E.G. White wrote (all emphases and bracketed words provided):

“Love, the basis of creation and redemption, is the basis of true education. This is made plain in the law that God has given as the GUIDE OF LIFE. The first and great commandment is, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy strength [might], and with ALL thy mind.” Luke 10: 27, KJV. 

   “To love Him, the Infinite, Omniscient One, with the whole strength, and mind, and heart, means the HIGHEST DEVELOPMENT of every power. It means that in the WHOLE BEING—the BODY, the MIND, as well as the SOUL—the image of God is to be RESTORED. 

    “Like the first is the second commandment—‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ Matt. 22: 39. THE LAW OF LOVE calls for the devotion of body, mind, and soul to the service of God and our fellow men. And this service, while making us a blessing to OTHERS, brings the GREATEST blessings to ourselves. 

    “UNSELFISHNESS UNDERLIES ALL TRUE DEVELOPMENT. 

    Through unselfish service we receive the HIGHEST CULTURE of every faculty. More and more fully do we become PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE. We are FITTED FOR HEAVEN, for we receive heaven INTO our hearts.” (End of extract) 

Dear friend, ponder upon this precious Bible truth regarding true education! Are we willing to learn as students in the school of Christ, the Master “Teacher sent from God” that prepares and fits us up for His eternal kingdom of glory? 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

August 19, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE DIVINE PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLE OF EDUCATION OF MAN IN HIS CREATION THEN REDEMPTION  

Text: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Gen. 1: 27, KJV

Ellen G. White is “reputed to be the most translated woman author and the most translated author in American history. For eg. her little book, Steps to Christ, is available in more than 100 languages.” The following is an extract from her book, Education, subtitle, The Source and Aim of True Education, pp. 15, 16 (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied):

   “In order to understand what is comprehended in education, we need to consider both the NATURE of man and the PURPOSE of God in creating him. We need to consider also the CHANGE in man’s condition through the coming in of the ‘knowledge of evil’ [cf. Gen. 2: 9, 17; 3: 1-24], and GOD’S PLAN for still fulfilling HIS GLORIOUS PURPOSE IN THE EDUCATION of the human race.

    “When Adam came from the Creator’s hand, he bore in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a LIKENESS to His Maker. ‘God created man in His image’ (Gen. 1: 27) and it was HIS PURPOSE that the longer man lived the more fully he should REVEAL THIS IMAGE—-the more fully REFLECT THE GLORY of the Creator. All his faculties were capable of development; their capacity and vigor were to continually INCREASE. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened for their RESEARCH. The MYSTERIES of the visible UNIVERSE the wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge’ (Job 37: 16)—invited man’s study. 

    “Face-to-face, heart-to-heart COMMUNION with his Maker was his high privilege. Had he remained LOYAL to God, all this would have been his FOREVER. Throughout eternal ages he would have continued to GAIN NEW TREASURES OF KNOWLEDGE, to discover FRESH SPRINGS OF HAPPINESS, and to obtain clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the WISDOM, the POWER, and the LOVE of God. More and more fully would he have fulfilled THE OBJECT OF HIS CREATION, more and more fully have REFLECTED the Creator’s glory. 

THE FALL IN EDEN:

   “But by DISOBEDIENCE this was FORFEITED. Through sin the divine likeness was MARRED, and well-nigh obliterated. Man’s PHYSICAL powers were weakened, his MENTAL capacity was lessened, his SPIRITUAL VISION dimmed. He had become subject to DEATH. Yet the [human] race was not left without hope. 

   “By infinite love and mercy the PLAN OF SALVATION had been devised, and a LIFE OF PROBATION was granted to RESTORE in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the PERFECTION in which he was created, to promote the development of BODY, MIND, AND SOUL, that the DIVINE PURPOSE FOR HIS CREATION MIGHT BE REALIZED—this was to be the work of redemption. 

   “This is the OBJECT OF EDUCATION, the GREAT OBJECT OF LIFE.” (End of extract). 

To be continued next MWM, God willing and enabling. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

August 12, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE HIGHEST PURPOSE OF TRUE EDUCATION

We begin this mini series on education with these Scriptures as the foundation. Read them carefully and prayerfully: 

    “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide My commandments with thee; so that thou wilt incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for his treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant to thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.” Proverbs 2:1-11, KJV. 

     “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above if first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is down in peace of them that make peace.” James 3: 13-18, KJV. 

    “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness (cf v 1:20). And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (cf. Ps. 94: 11).” 1 Cor. 3: 17-20, KJV.

By mortal man’s fallible and ever-shifting standards and value systems, education is often equated with the means of achieving three general pursuits and goals in life: financial and economic security, social mobility, and prestige. Intrinsically, all these are temporal in nature. 

But where eternal realities are concerned, true education has a far different goal and purpose, much higher, more sublime and transcendental its and temporal counterpart. 

We shall focus on the latter for it is a vital part of preparing “for the inheritance of the saints in light.”

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

August 5, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

EXECUTIVE JUDGMENT REVEALS GOD’S FATHOMLESS LOVE AND INFINITE WISDOM TO THE WHOLE UNIVERSE (How & Why ‘Calvary is the Tipping Point’ of Eternity Past and Eternity Future) 

We resume from last week’s MWM and conclude the full extract here (with all emphasis and bracketed words provided):

    “In the final execution of the judgment [conducted in heaven during the millenium, commencing  after Christ’s glorious second advent to raise “the dead in Christ”

in ‘the resurrection of the just’] it will be seen that no cause for sin exists. 

    “When [Christ] the Judge of all the earth shall demand of Satan, ‘WHY HAST THOU REBELLED AGAINST ME, AND ROBBED ME OF THE SUBJECTS OF MY KINGDOM?’ the originator of evil can render no excuse. Every mouth [of fallen angels a wicked men] will be stopped, and all the HOSTS of rebellion will be speechless. 

    “The CROSS OF CALVARY, while it declares the law immutable, PROCLAIMS TO THE UNIVERSE that the wages of sin is death. 

    “In the Savior’s expiring cry, ‘IT IS FINISHED,’ THE DEATH KNELL OF SATAN WAS RUNG [!] The great controversy which has been so long on progress [only 6,000 years and no more] was then decided, and the FINAL ERADICATION OF EVIL was made certain [at Calvary’s cross!]. 

   “The Son of God PASSED THROUGH THE PORTALS OF THE TOMB, ‘that THROUGH DEATH HE MIGHT DESTROY HIM that had the power of death, that is, THE DEVIL.’ (Heb. 2: 14, KJV). 

    “Lucifer’s desire for SELF EXALTATION had led him to say, ‘I will exalt MY THRONE above the stars of God [the angelic host of heaven]. . . . I will be LIKE the Most High.’ God declares, ‘I will bring thee to ASHES upon the earth. . . . and NEVER shalt thou be anymore.’ (Isa. 14: 13, 14; Eze. 28: 18, 19). 

    “When ‘THE DAY cometh, that shall BURN as an oven. . . . all the PROUD, yea, and all that DO WICKEDLY, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them NEITHER root nor branch.’ (Mal. 4:1). 

    “The WHOLE UNIVERSE will have become WITNESSES TO THE NATURE AND RESULTS OF SIN. And its utter extermination, which in the beginning would have brought FEAR TO THE ANGELS and DISHONOR TO GOD, will now VINDICATE HIS LOVE AND ESTABLISH HIS HONOR before the universe of beings who delight to DO His will, and in whose HEART is His law. 

   “NEVER will evil again be manifest. Says the word of God, ‘Affliction shall not rise up the second time’ (Nahum 1:9). The LAW OF GOD, which Satan has reproached as the law of bondage, will be honored as the LAW OF LIBERTY. 

    “A TESTED AND PROVED CREATION will never again be turned from allegiance to Him whose CHARACTER has been FULLY MANIFESTED before them as FATHOMLESS LOVE and INFINITE WISDOM.”

—-End of extract of ‘The Origin of Evil,’ chap. 29, The Great Controversy, pp. 503-4, 1911 edition by Ellen G. White, Pacific Press Publishing Association. 

My only desire and prayer is that all, discarding any preconceived ideas and prejudices, will thoroughly  examine and prove its truthfulness by obtaining and reading for themselves the books cited and all the Bible verses provided therein. Thusly, I humbly yet confidently, commit you to the comfort, guidance, and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit and ministry of the holy angels.

Till next MWM, God willing.  Bless all, NMF.