Jesus and Me: Life Lessons Learned Around A Backyard Campfire

By Joyel Skinner Ortega

While this is a short Christian devotional, it has profound truths written in a simple manner. Jesus speaks when we are still, and He longs to share His wisdom with us. Of course, scripture is vital and the only ultimate authority in learning about Jesus and how to live for Christ, but He also chooses to use what is around us to speak.

Oh Lord, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that loves as You do, for Your holy word says that "Ears to hear and eyes to see – both are gifts from the Lord" (Proverbs 20:12, NLT). In Jesus' name, amen.

There are simple questions that are repeated after every lesson. These questions are repetitive to build a strong, positive mindset that keeps our thoughts on Christ. In addition, it is a way to develop a habit of praise, thanksgiving, and daily reflection to keep our perspective on Kingdom purposes.

The spiritual disciplines of praise and thanksgiving are powerful weapons against the difficult seasons we all must face. Praise and thanksgiving empower us by reminding us who He is and keeping our hearts appreciative of all the Lord has done for us.

Father God, may You bless us all with a renewed mind, for Your holy word says, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2, NLT). In Jesus' name, amen.

Names of God are purposefully included in each daily prayer so that we may reflect as to who Jesus is and what He does.

May the God of peace and wisdom show us who He is through His many names. In Jesus' name, amen. May God bless all to richly delve into scripture, and may all humanity feel His love. In Jesus' name, amen.

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name" (Hebrews 13:15).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joyel Skinner Ortega
• Release date: Oct 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781737527008

Book preview

© 2021 Joyel Ortega All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. w​ww.zo​nderv​an.​com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™.

Names of Jesus: Nave, Orville J. Nave’s Topical Bible: A Digest of the Holy Scriptures. New York: International Bible agency, 1897. Print.

Cover design by ©Pure Joy Photography and Design

Formatting & Interior Design by Laurie Nave

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Lesson 6

Lesson 7

Lesson 8

Lesson 9

Lesson 10

Lesson 11

Lesson 12

Lesson 13

Lesson 14

Lesson 15

Lesson 16

Lesson 17

Lesson 18

Lesson 19

Lesson 20

Lesson 21

Lesson 22

Lesson 23

Lesson 24

Lesson 25

Lesson 26

Lesson 27

Lesson 28

Lesson 29

Committing to Christ

Acknowledgments

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 126:3, NLT).

To Jesus, above all, I give a humble thank You for all You have done for my family. Oh, how I want to serve You! I am grateful to You for walking with me every minute. I love You too, Jesus. Thank You for all the beautiful people you have placed in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him (Psalm 95:2, NLT).

Thank you to my sweet husband of almost thirty years. Words cannot express how blessed I am to have you in my life. God smiled upon me when He gave me you. I love you. You have an inner strength that leaves me in awe. You have such a kind heart and are so wise. You have a joy of life that shines in all that you do. Thank you for always supporting me.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:7, NLT).

Thank you to my children, daughter-in-law, and grandchild for giving me the sweetest memories of my life. No matter what happens, I will love you with everything I am (including all my mistakes and bad decisions). I hope you will forgive the poor choices and remember the good. May God bless you always.

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you and give you His peace (Numbers 6:24-26, NLT).

Thank you to all the wonderful servants of the Most High God at Family Christian Center. Thank you for taking in a wounded stranger on a dark night and loving me as Jesus would. Thank you to Pastors Rick and Becky Van Wagner for being obedient to King Jesus and blessing me with a lovely church home. Special thanks to Larry Roberts and Sandy Strong for welcoming a stranger on a Sunday night in a parking lot after the service was over. There were no questions, no judgments, just the love and compassion of Jesus, and I was blessed with asking Jesus into my heart that night.

Words cannot describe the beautiful, Christ-centered counseling I received from Pastor Jeff Phillips and Sharon Bryant during a very difficult season. I have been blessed to be part of several churches, but The Family Christian Center will always be special to me. Thank you for keeping the greatest commandment, loving your neighbor as yourself.

‘…You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39, NLT).

Special thanks to my new church family at Remnant Family Church. In a short time, I have been so encouraged and blessed by solid biblical teaching, beautiful worship, and an especially loving environment. I am so grateful to God for bringing a new Spirit-Filled church to our area.

Thank you to our pastors, Anton and Collette La Grange and their remarkable kids for leaving their home in South Africa to build God’s kingdom in