Unintentionally Set on Fire: Encouraging Daily Devotions

By Simone Nicole

Do you need to be lifted up and encouraged?

Let this devotion lead you to the Word of God and lift your spirits!

This book is meant to be a tool used to lift up and encourage people daily. Many years ago a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Oct 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890413987

Simone Nicole

I am a writer, visual technician, and leader at my church. Encouraging others has always been a passion of mine and spontaneously blessing others is one of my favorite hobbies. I love participating in random acts of kindness.

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Unintentionally

Set on Fire

Simone Nicole

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2023 by Simone Nicole

Scripture quotations marked amp are taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.

Scripture quotations marked

esv

are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright (c) 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

For information, address Trilogy Christian Publishing

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Manufactured in the United States of America

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 979-8-89041-397-0

ISBN (ebook) 979-8-89041-398-7

Dedication Page

I want to be very intentional in thanking six significant women in my life who have helped this book come to be. Of course, when you play the name game, you run into the whole leaving people out thing, so before I list any names specifically, I want to thank God for giving me the ability to write and encourage others in this way! I want to thank my family, both here on this earth and those rejoicing above, for their support. Thank you to my church family for encouraging and supporting me. Thank you to the text group I had the pleasure of leading, making this book possible; without you all, I don’t think I would have ever had the confidence to be published. Now on to the extraordinary ladies in my life:

My mother. Thank you, Mama, for your excellent, timely criticisms concerning this ministry. Thank you for all the great life lessons you continuously teach me. Thank you for patiently putting up with me and your selfless financial support with this ministry; you always put my phone upgrades before your own.

My grandma. Thank you for believing in me, sharing the Word, and for your wisdom and support.

My aunts (Angie, Barbara, Candy, and Lilly). Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have done some incredible things in my life; individually, you have impacted my world more than I can put to words, so thank you!

Valerie Staten (my First Lady). You are fantastic, talented, unique, and so very wise! Thank you for your unique ability to impart wisdom.

Linda Simpkins. You are a great and dear friend who has always supported me, prayed with and for me, and impart some great words of wisdom and life lessons. Thank you for allowing me to do life with you and your wonderful family and for always opening your doors and ears to me.

The creative and unique minds of Shavonn Springfield, Jessica Goncalves, and Crystin Latta. You all are the best, and my dedicated pusher Shelia Jones. You all have helped me to publish this book.

I know that is more than six, but I just had to shout out some people and let them know how much I appreciate their contribution to this book. Thank you all, everyone named and unnamed, for your help creating this devotional, support, and prayers.

Foreword

I have enjoyed living on this earth for a few years now. I wasn’t supposed to be here; doctors told my mom she would most likely not have children, and God blessed her with two children! And since the day God miraculously gave me life, I’ve always had a fantastic ability to encourage others. This ability has blessed me immensely and has been instrumental in others’ lives. I find such joy in encouraging others and believe it is a blessing to be able to have people in your life open and willing to be inspired. I was only encouraged strictly by sharing a smile and being friendly, but I knew the world was much larger than my smile could reach. So, I set out to do something that would affect all those I immediately influenced. As a first-year high school student, I created an encouraging text group where I sent out scriptures, prayers, and whatever else God spoke through me that day. I compiled a list of family members’ phone numbers and asked if I could text them every weekday. It was challenging at first to consistently wake up at the same time each morning and send out a text. But knowing that people were expecting my text each morning was more than enough for me to get up early and send a message. I must admit, in the beginning this ministry was just a ministry. Being an immature high schooler, I wanted to feel like I was doing things, so I added this to my list of accomplishments. But something changed. Within a year, the blessing of encouraging others had become a burden. I began thinking that starting this ministry was a huge mistake and that I had bitten off way more than I could chew. Then I received a text from someone thanking me for encouraging them. At that moment, I realized that this ministry God has blessed me with is more than me; because it wasn’t about me, it was never about me. I became so grateful for what I had: a small ministry to encourage and make a difference! That was the day I was unintentionally set on fire, and through God, I’ve been able to encourage myself and others for more than eight years. This book, Unintentionally Set on Fire, is unique to me; within it are some very intentional words, short devotions, and prayers I’ve sent out the last few years to a beautiful group of people, which has grown to over one hundred; praise God!

This book results from prayer and a sincere desire to encourage others with deep convictions, honesty, and sacrifice. So please enjoy!

Introduction

Below is a dialogue between myself and God. I wrote it a long time ago, right before my missions trip, and I just wanted to share it!

Me: God, it’s me. I’m struggling with some things right now, Lord; I can’t help but look at myself in the mirror and be discontented.

God: What’s your name?

Me: God, can You hear me? I know I’ve sinned, I’ve done You wrong, and God, I really want to be used by You, but I’m just struggling.

God: What’s your name?

Me: God, You see, there are so many things coming against me, something I struggle with daily; I’m not sure how to handle it all, can You hear me?

God: What’s your name?

Me: Oh God, I can’t seem to keep my head above water; it’s one thing after another! Is there any way out?! Can You hear me?

God: What’s your name? Simone, I’ve heard you. Have you been listening to me?

Me: Yeah, but God...

God: Do you realize I created you in My image? Then why are you struggling to accept yourself? Do you not read My Word?

Me: Yeah?...

God: Then you know that My mercies are new every morning, I gave My Son for your sin, I’ve already forgiven you, you’ve got to learn to forgive yourself.

Me: Okay, God, but listen...

God: You’ve read My Word. So, you know that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Whatever trouble you’re struggling with isn’t going to keep