Cindy Bonds – Devotional – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: I’m excited about my guest today. Cindy Bonds has been on my blog before. Before she was published. Now, she’s about to have her debut novel release by the publishing company I recently became a partner in and she’ll be my first job as content editor. She shares a devotional on how she tries to incorporate God in her books. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a digital copy of her debut Romantic Suspense, Hostage. Since the book won’t officially be a book until September, the winner won’t receive their copy until then. Deadline to comment: June 13th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Cindy:

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

As I write, I look for ways to incorporate Bible verses or storylines within the novel. After all, I believe that this is where God wants me. And if he wants me to write, then it needs to be for his purpose, not mine.

This verse has always held weight for me, a way to look for hope even when things are dark. The title for my first novel is Hostage. It begins with several people being held against their will, being tormented and living in fear.

The heroine is Agent Macy Packer, a woman whose past has several trials and turmoil’s that she has worked to find peace with. This verse would be her mantra. Even with the terror she finds herself in throughout the story, she does her best to find a way to see God even in the darkness.

This life we live is not promised to be without pain and hurt. In fact, Jesus reminds us often that we will suffer. We are living in a world of sin and that means, nothing will be easy!

God is forever sovereign. His will is absolute and no matter what situation we are in, He can use it for our good and His good. He works through all things- not just some things. And He works them together. When I think about the mountains moved in my life to get me where I am today, it seems so impossible.

When we discuss the promises of God with the youth at our church, it’s important to remember that those promises are for his people. That means, those that love and believe in him. We are all his creation, but we are not all his children. As sad as that sounds, I’m sure most people can think of one person in their life or they have met that doesn’t believe in God or love him at all.

This promise specifically states, “to them that love God.”  After all, if we know and love God, we have sacrificed self to allow Him to use us how He sees fit, for His will.

I also like the fact it recognizes our human nature and that we will always end up in a place where we need His saving grace. For all things work together- not just the good things, not just the salvageable things, all things. Our dirty rags don’t have to be clean in order for him to use us every day.

So, even in the sad times, the pain, the hurt, the fear, we can read this verse and say, there is hope. Although the consequences of sin will find us, the will of God is stronger than anything else!

About Cindy: Cindy lives with her husband Garrett in the small town of Clinton Arkansas. They have two children, Conner and Kenzie, and are surrounded by farmland and cattle. With a full time job, a part time job and being a mom, carving time for her writing has become an art!

Cindy loves to read romantic suspense, write and spend time with her family. Her first novel, Hostage, comes out September 8^th by Scrivenings Press. Visit her at cindybonds.com to sign up for more info on her first release!

About the book – Hostage:

Her confidence shot, Agent Macy Packer desperately wants to go back to her regular life, before she was taken hostage. To forget the pain, the fear and forget the man that helped her through all of it, then disappeared.

Kane Bledsoe is finally healed, his scars serving as a reminder of his time in prison. But all he can think about is the blue-eyed woman that saved him. She had saved them all and left him with a burning hope.

When a chance meeting and attack proves Macy is once again a target, Kane decides to do what he can to protect her. But as the familiarity of their enemy grows, so does the connection between them.

Kane will have to decide how far he’s willing to go in order to protect Macy. Can he risk captivity and torture a second time in order to save her?

Question for Readers: What are your thoughts on this verse: Romans 8:28? How do you focus when it comes to the chaos in your life? Do you look for the shape and way God will use it? Or is it sometimes just too dark to see that bright light at the end?

Come back June 5th for Regina Merrick!