But God: Two comforting words

By Bethany Riehl

But God.

Those are my two favorite words in Scripture that, thankfully, are repeated over and over lest my feeble mind forget.

I used to overlook these words when they arrived on the scene. Or maybe it’s that I wasn’t reading my Bible carefully enough. Multiple times in Scripture when all seems lost, the text speaks these words and reminds us of their great promise.

We see them after Adam and Eve sinned against God in the garden. They were afraid, aware of their nakedness, the covering of fellowship and perfection gone, when we read, “But the LORD God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:9) Yes, He cast them from the garden, but His perfect plan was already in motion. There would be a Savior to undo the awful damage that had been done.

After the earth was cleansed by the Flood and all but eight souls were destroyed, Genesis 8:1 begins, “But God remembered Noah…”

Later, Joseph assures his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive as they are today.” (Genesis 50:24)

David says in Psalm 49:15, “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.”

I could share hundreds of examples, but I think they all come down to this ultimate truth:

“…but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Six years ago, we were blessed to go through a series of trials that completely stripped away all of my previously conceived notions about who God is. When I say blessed, I mean it. I would rather go through suffering and know the real God than have a comfortable life spent possibly worshipping a false one. I had always known that He was good, but through various trials I learned that His good is not the same as mine.

Six years ago, life got real and raw very quickly. God began to show me the unedited reality of who He is. He opened my eyes to what His Word actually says about Him – instead of my own quick perusal and assumptions. No fluffy feel-good version of God where His goodness is measured by how well life is going, how big my house is, or how well-behaved my children are.

The “But God” reality.

The God that is bigger than physical pain and emotional suffering.

The God that is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The God that will not leave nor forsake, and who shows you exactly what that means when you surrender to Him and His will.

The God who refines with fire, sharpens with iron, and separates truth and love from lies and hate with a double-edged sword. His blade cuts too close for comfort at times, but God is a master surgeon with precise incisions. For our good and His glory.

The story of our lives could not have been more bleak when He saved us. We were dead in our trespasses and sins, helpless and hopeless. All of us. Every single one. And some reading this article are still in that place.

To borrow something my pastor said recently, we are just not good enough. We have to come to a place where we understand that. Our lives depend on acknowledging this unmistakable truth. We are not good. Forget enough. We are simply not good. We have no power on our own to save ourselves. But God. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing Bethany Riehl riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7) God’s riches are so much more than we can imagine. A nice home, fancy car, and fat bank account are not examples of the goodness of God. Not really. Those are all temporal. The real goodness lies in the promises found in Ephesians 1:3-8a: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” As I write this article, my phone is beside me. I’ve been texting with my sister and father all day because my mom is in the hospital and it’s not looking like she will be coming home the way we expected her to, if she comes home at all. Like most of you, I’m certain, I just can’t picture a world without my mom in it. Hers was the first heartbeat I heard, the first voice, the first warm embrace. She has encouraged me in my writing, talked through Scripture with me, fed my love of Revelation and the study of eschatology. Most importantly, she taught me to love Jesus. My heart is breaking. But God. This world is not our home. My mom repented and put her trust in the blood of Jesus as a child. Whether now or someday far in the future when we have to say good-bye, it will only be for a little while because of the marvelous mercy and grace of our great and glorious King Jesus. But God, my friends. From the darkest of days to the brightest… But God. n Bethany Riehl lives in the Treasure Valley with her husband, three kids, and one super chill dog. She and her husband homeschool their kids and were only slightly embarrassed when their lives didn’t change all that much when the world shut down in 2020. Hashtag, homebodies. She writes articles and fictional novels when she can, and her one desire is to point others to the love and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Her books can be found on Amazon or at your local library…after you request them to be in stock, of course.

Hip-Hop artist, RandyB Funk has a gift and wants to use it to benefit his community and speak to his generation.

RandyB continues to create powerful ways of sharing God’s love through Christian Hip-Hop with the Treasure Valley, and beyond. Known for his Christian Hip-Hop music and his monumental SOS Service Drives that benefit Boise Rescue Mission and Idaho Humane Society; this year’s annual SOS service drive starts the last week in October, and runs through December 23rd. He is a hard worker, who has always been involved in his community. He was the Meridian Youth Arts Commissioner for several years, a Prudential Award Recipient, a Meridian Star Award recipient and more. He currently resides in Eagle but loves the whole Treasure Valley.

Along with his busy performance schedule, RandyB has also produced three hip-hop shows, dubbed the Annual Fired-Up Benefit Tours. The best Christian rappers are selected for these concerts that also benefit the Boise Rescue Mission. This year’s 3rd Annual Fired-Up Benefit Show, took place in April 2021, followed by another performance at “Preview,” both held at Boise Bible College where RandyB was a co-curricular student. This year he is also studying Psychology as a dual credit high school/ college student at Liberty University online. RandyB will graduate high school in 2022, with two years of college under his belt.

RandyB was also chosen by nationally known Effect Radio 91.9 FM, to be the “ARTIST OF THE MONTH,” in September 2020, and in December he was awarded the “DO GOOD CHAMPION,” by Project 88.7. He was the December 5th SPOTLIGHT with our own Sandy Jones for Christian Living Magazine’s radio show, Christian Living Spotlight; and this past April was interviewed by Discover Idaho on TVPBN.com and his Fired-Up concert in April was aired live!

RandyB has multiple songs on Christian radio and is now preparing for the release of several singles, followed by his newest video. Over the summer RandyB produced the Hip-Hop Love Fest, which took place at Boise Bible College, and performed on tour through the Northwest promoting his WORK (REMIX) and FACTS. While he still has a few more spots open, he has been booked for over a dozen performances this summer/ fall.

RandyB was honored when Project 88.7 included him in the line-up for SUMMER SPLASH at Roaring Springs in August, which featured KB, WANDE, ZAUNTEE and, yes, Treasure Valley’s own, RANDYB FUNK! RandyB has been featured in multiple publications, as well as on radio and news shows, where he shares his love of serving his community through his service drives and music. RandyB has major companies now participating in his service drives and is receiving similar support for his concerts. He recently started a promotions company with his Mom, called FIRED UP PROMOTIONS. RandyB has been turned down by most area churches to perform, which he finds sad. He says he’d love to hear from local youth pastors. He shares, “Hip-Hop is the most popular music among young people and when we can replace the harsh words with encouraging ones, real talk, it can truly help our generation to have hope and not feel so alone.” He continues, “I’m incredibly grateful for the support from Boise Bible College.” RandyB is planning four concerts a year at BBC.

After an EP and multiple singles, RandyB Funk dropped his first album, titled “DIVIDED,” in 2020. He followed up with another single in January 2021, titled “WORK,” and is working on his second album! No stranger to work, he never stops giving 100 percent to his community. His latest songs, FACTS and WORK (Remix) just dropped this summer. One of his next singles features R-Swift, who many in the industry call the ‘Godfather of Christian Rap.’ R-Swift did a song with RandyB when he was just 15, and also headlined with RandyB at the 3rd Annual Fired-Up Tour on April 2nd 2021.

RandyB also has an upcoming video shoot in Hawaii (where he was raised until age seven) for his popular song “NEW DAY” with Derick Sebastian, who is hailed as the best Ukulele player in the world!

He’s been blessed to perform with Steven Malcom, 1K Phew, R-Swift and others, and performed at the HIPHOP LOVE FEST with PEABOD! He believes Christian rap can be used as a vehicle to reach those broken and affected by the shut down - especially the kids and teens.

The Hip Hop Love Fest took place on July 16, 2021 focusing on the joy of the Lord, and had a ‘Christian Woodstock’ theme. RandyB shared the following thoughts, “I want to encourage my peers and the community that there is comfort and hope in the love of Jesus. I want to create a space for people who come to my concerts, where they can feel loved; connect, make friends and belong.” He stresses that families are welcome and encourages them to come and support these concerts. “I like to keep it positive and fun. I’m doing what I love and trying to make a difference, we get all ages to come and share in the fun.”

RandyB has spoken at the Boise Chamber of Commerce tips groups, Eagle Chamber of Commerce, local fire departments, City Hall and has been attending chamber meetings with his Mom since he was 12. He gleams, “As believers we are commissioned to be lights in the world and to encourage others to shine and use their gifts. People are happiest when they’re using their gifts.”

Team RandyB Funk can be contacted at: phone (208)-914-3793; email mcfunk48@gmail.com. Find him at randybfunk.com, on social media @ randybfunkmusic, and heard on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music

By Leo Hellyer

All Christian men are on a journey that many times has some rough spots in it. There are both mountain tops and valleys in this journey. As Christian men and leaders, we often find it hard to admit that there are times when we may need help living our lives. Leaders are used to leading and helping others, and they may forget that they need to be fed to be able to feed others. The best Christian leader cannot continue meeting the needs of others when that leader is empty.

There is a great book and Bible study which has been released this year that I sincerely believe every Christian man should examine in detail. I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion but Found My Faith, by Lecrae, is a fantastic guide to follow in living our lives according to godly precepts. Lacrae is very transparent as he shares with us the journey that he has been on, and how this journey has restored him.

Any man who finds himself in a position of emptiness is in very good company. Even professional athletes who train for stressful situations have these valleys of life where they can have serious difficulties managing their lives. A few athletes who have openly discussed their experiences with mental health difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, or feeling overwhelmed, are Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Michael Phelps. When anyone is in this place it can be a very dark experience.

Many times we forget, in the midst of our battles, that our God is a God of redemption. One of the observations that Lacrae makes in his book is that our God is not a God who discards us when we aren’t perfect. It is very important for us to know and believe that our God takes us from where we are and guides us on the journey of redemption, peace and well-

being. In Colossians 1:24-27 we read about our incomparable Christ who rescues us from the realm of darkness. Just like athletes, first responders, and medical providers, when people in responsible leadership positions are not frequently fed spiritually and emotionally, they many times will suffer from something called “vicarious trauma”. This emotional and physical exhaustion can be very debilitating. God wants us to come to Him, to seek Him, and let Him intervene on our behalf. In the vast majority of cases, we also have people around us who are eager to help us on our journey through life, if we will reach out to them. We Leo Hellyer do not have to carry the heavy load of life’s challenges on our shoulders alone. There are many books available on Christian leadership from a variety of perspectives. I just recently came across one of these great books that was just published this year and which is coming from a very unique perspective. This book spoke to me, and I believe it will speak to most Christian men who are in leadership positions in churches, businesses, ministries or families. This book was written by David Dusek, the founder of Rough Cut Men Ministries. The book is titled, The Battle: Tactics for Biblical Manhood Learned from the 7th Cavalry in Vietnam. In an endorsement of the book, Lt. Col. Oliver North USMC (Ret.) says, “Perfectly titled, The Battle by David Dusek goes straight to the heart of issues facing today’s Christian men. Illustrating the precepts of biblical manhood in the context of a legendary battle during the Vietnam War makes this book appealing and powerful.” Stu Weber, a pastor from Boring, Ore., author of Tender Warrior and Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart, and recipient of three Bronze Stars as a Green Beret in Vietnam states, “...

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this book is something of a pre-fight battle brief written by one rough man to other rough cut guys – how to survive on a planet at war against everything you hold dear.”

Our God is with us through all things good and bad. Our major task is to keep focused upon Him as we face our various challenges in life. In Colossians, Paul instructs us to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Life is a battle. Every day as Christian men, we are in the middle of a battle between the powers of good and evil. For us to survive this battle, we must remember that we cannot fight in this battle alone. We must armor up. We must follow the rules of engagement. We must be part of a team with a common goal. We must follow our Commander in Chief into the battle. By the way, in the battle of life that is set before us, our Commander in Chief is God Almighty.

We don’t know from one moment to the next who, where, or what our next battle is going to be. Our Commander in Chief knows. God gives us all of the tools that we need to successfully complete the mission He has for us. We need to keep our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts upon Him and not get distracted by the counterfeit spirits around us. n Leo Hellyer is a non-staff pastor with a local church and has been married to his wife Norma for more than 45 years. The couple volunteered with the Boise FamilyLife Ministry Team for 20 years. Leo has also been serving with Boise Rescue Mission Ministries for 20 years and is currently serving at the River of Life Rescue Mission. He is president and chief firearms instructor with Helping Hands Firearms Training LLC. If you have questions about Real Man’s Toolbox, or need other assistance, Leo may be reached at silverplate426@msn.com or 208-340-5544.

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“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalms 100:5