Luke 16:10 says: "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."

        Sometimes Christians wonder why trials seem to affect their faith so adversely. The answer to this question is found in Luke 16:10-11 and in other passages: If you want to be prepared for the great emergencies when you need real Christian character, you need to meet the smaller emergencies of life in a faithful way.

        Acts 7:59 says: "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'"

        Stephen was chosen of God. It is significant that the man who was chosen to help distribute to the necessities of the saints has, wrapped up with his life story, a death story that is different from other death stories in the Bible. This strange, wonderful man, filled with the Holy Ghost, gave a good testimony; he never compromised; he was always true -- even unto the end.

        If we want to be prepared for the great emergencies of life when we need real Christian character, we need to meet the smaller emergencies of life in a faithful way. it is the little day-to-day compromises that leave us anemic and helpless when the great hour of crisis comes. At some time each of us will meet some great hour of crises. We cannot live under God's flag without sometimes being in the front trenches of battle. Like Stephen and other heroes of the faith great crises will come sometime.

        Pastor John