Sunday, August 3, 2014

The Jesus Code by O. S. Hawkins

Hawkins was intrigued by the questions Jesus asked. The gospels have over 150 of them. Seeing that it was a way of instruction, Hawkins chose 52 from the Bible, ones he thought every Christian should be able to answer.

He begins with the serpent's question and encourages to know that what God says in His Word is true. From Joseph we are encouraged to know our dreams are from God and then keep following them. We learn the remedy for discouragement from the Israelites in the wilderness. From David, we learn to keep our promises and how to recognize sin's course. We learn how to recognize and deal with depression from Elijah and how to finish well from Nehemiah. We learn about worship and the fear of the Lord from Isaiah's experience, and what the Lord requires from Micah. Other topics include resentment, tithing, worry, pluralism, neighbors, heavenly heart burn, Jesus' second coming, repentance and much more. Perhaps the most important question included is that of the jailer in Acts 16. “What must I do to be saved?” (Week 46)

Hawkins has written great spiritual lessons revolving around each of the 52 questions. These would be great for weekly devotional reading and meditation. The book would make a great gift too.

He writes in the Epilogue that he chose these questions to be able to address the broadest spectrum of topics possible. Also in the Epilogue is an encouragement to accept Jesus as Savior and a prayer.

O. S. Hawkins has been a pastor for more than twenty-five years. He has a DMin and several honorary degrees. He is president of GuideStone Financial Resources, serving workers in Christian organizations with retirement and benefit services needs. He is the author of over twenty-five books and preaches regularly at conferences and churches across the nation. You can find out more about him and his work at www.oshawkins.com.

Thomas Nelson, 288 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

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