February 17, 2016

Of all the books in the New Testament, none is packed tighter with commands than James’ epistle—five chapters, 55 commands. It’s not what you’d expect in a letter to hurting people who have little money and feel the sting of persecution. We might expect something lighter or therapeutic, not a letter that’s convicting or forceful. […]

“Did I believe in God? Now the test had come. I was alone. There was no salary to earn, no golden opinions to consider. God offered me only suffering—would I continue to love Him?” This was the question with which Richard Wurmbrand wrestled. He was a pastor taken prisoner in 1948, Communist Romania. Russia created

The structure of the Roman army endured for centuries. Legates commanded legions with each legion comprised of 10 cohort units of 480 soldiers each. Within the cohort units were groups of 80 men, each commanded by a centurion. Rather than lead from behind, the centurions were fierce as fire on the front lines. They tended