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| FRIDAY | October 1 |
| “The Lord calls upon all to study the divine philosophy of sacred history, written by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The first family placed upon the earth is a sample of all families which will exist till the close of time. There is much to study in this history in order that we may understand the divine plan for the human race. This plan is plainly defined, and the prayerful, consecrated soul will become a learner of the thought and purpose of God from the beginning till the close of this earth's history. He will realize that Jesus Christ, one with the Father, was the great mover in all progress, the One who is the source of all the purification and elevation of the human race.”—Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, p. 184. “In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment and with confidence in Christ as Leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history. We are now a strong people, if we will put our trust in the Lord; for we are handling the mighty truths of the word of God. We have everything to be thankful for.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 162. |
 God’s active involvement in history is a very important concept in Scripture. Read Daniel 2:21. What does this passage say about the interaction between God and human history? Why is this reality so important for us to keep in mind today, for us who are living near the true “end of history”?  Why do we like stories so much? What makes a good story? How can stories be very effective tools in teaching truth? Who are some of your favorite storytellers, and why do you like them?  The Ancient Israelites had been called to be witnesses to the whole world of the true God and of His message regarding salvation by grace for everyone. Yet, look at how internal fighting so weakened ancient Israel. What lessons might we be able to draw from that sad historical truth for ourselves today?  Background is so important for understanding any situation. Yet, in most cases there’s so much background information that we just don’t know about. Because so much is hidden from us, why is it so important that we not judge others? How often have you hastily judged someone before knowing important facts about the person and his or her circumstances? How often have you been judged by those who didn’t know all the pertinent facts about you? |
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Samaritan on the Sea by DARYL FAMISARAN Muhammad was leader on his island just south of the Philippines. In his people's culture piracy and murder were accepted activities. Their boats were designed for speed and could overtake trade boats that crossed their paths. One day Muhammad set out alone in his boat. A storm swept in, and the sea became rough, driving his boat far to the south. Muhammad realized that he was in danger, and as was his custom, he prayed to Allah to save him. Several days after the storm had passed, Dimas, who lived on an island not far from Muhammad's home, went out fishing. He saw a boat bobbing in the water and recognized it as a pirate boat, but it appeared to be empty. Cautiously he approached and saw a man lying in the boat's hull. He was barely alive. Dimas recognized the man as a leader of the pirate tribe, an enemy. Nevertheless, he towed the pirate's boat toward home, carried the man to his home, and cared for him. Dimas's kindness touched Muhammad, who would have used Dimas for target practice if given the chance. "Why did you save me?" Muhammad asked. "You needed help," Dimas answered, "and God commands us to love our enemies." Muhammad looked incredulously at Dimas and asked, "Who taught you this way of living?" "The SULADS teachers in our school are Seventh-day Adventists," Dimas said. "They aren't like other Christians. They don't smoke, drink alcohol, eat unclean foods, or worship idols. They worship only God, the same God Abraham worshiped. They are better Muslims than we are." Muhammad listened wide-eyed. "I owe my life to you and to the SULADS teachers," he said. "Will you ask the SULADS to send teachers to my island? I want my people to know how to read and write and how to live this new life that you describe." Today, because Dimas extended Samaritan-like kindness to a killer and a pirate, SULADS student missionaries operate an Adventist school with 150 students on this former pirate island in the seas south of the Philippines. DARYL FAMISARAN is field director of the SULADS student missionary program at Mountain View College in Mindanao, Philippines. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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