Five Ways God Uses Problems
By Mike Riley
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In Romans 8:35-37, the apostle Paul who was beset by problems on every hand (2 Corinthians 4:8-18) stated: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
The problems we face will either defeat us or develop us – depending on how we respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.
With the above thoughts in mind, the following are five ways God wants to use the problems in our life:
1) God Uses Problems To “Direct” Us
Sometimes God must light a fire under us to get us moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways (Proverbs 20:30).
2) God Uses Problems To “Inspect” Us
People are like tea bags … if you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God tested your faith with a problem? What do these problems reveal about you? “When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.” (James 1:2-3).
3) God Uses Problems To “Correct” Us
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It’s likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something … health, money, a relationship … by losing it. “It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.” (Psalm 119:71-72).
4) God Uses Problems To “Protect” Us
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents us from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem – but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management’s actions were eventually discovered. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good ….” (Genesis 50:20).
5) God Uses Problems To “Perfect” Us
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in our “character” than our “comfort”. Our relationship to God and our character are the only two things we are going to take with us into eternity. “We can rejoice when we run into problems … they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.” (Romans 5:3-4).
Conclusion
Here’s the point: God is at work in our life (even when we do not recognize it or understand it). But it’s much easier and profitable when we cooperate with Him. “Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched, and moments shared along the way.”
Let us be encouraged by the words of the inspired apostle Paul in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
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Elders
Leon Cort
Mark Craigwell
Martin Samuel
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Minister
Mark Craigwell
Assistant Minister
Denver Simmons
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Deacons
Raleigh Gallington
Anthony Johnson
Gregory Johnson
Carlfred Malcolm
Albert Martin, Jr.
Walter Maxwell
Richard Meuse
Barry Person
Jason Reid
James Wade, Sr.
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Sermon for Sunday, April 3, 2022
The Call of Duty (for Christians)
1 Peter 2: 11-12
Speaker: Bro. Mark Craigwell
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We extend our sympathy to Bro. Greg Lee in the passing of his cousin Shacora, who passed away at the age of 30. Please keep the Lee family in prayer.
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Love Offering for Ukraine
We will be taking up a love offering on Sunday, April 3rd to provide assistance to those in the Ukraine who are suffering the effects of the Russian invasion into Ukraine. Please come prepared to contribute whatever you are able to contribute.
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HERE WE GROW AGAIN!
Joseph Valcin was baptized into Christ on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Joseph is the son of Bro. & Sis. Jean and Islande Valcin. Let us welcome our new brother in Christ!
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City of Boston Indoor Mask Mandate: Due to declining COVID-19 rates and high vaccination rates in the City of Boston, effective Saturday, March 5, 2022, the City of Boston lifted its indoor mask mandate. However, we will continue to require masking and distancing at our in person events until further notice. Thank you for your continued cooperation.
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Our April Community Outreach will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2022, starting at 10 a.m. at the building to assemble bags of groceries, for delivery to seniors in the community. All are welcome to participate. Masks are required. Thank you to all who helped with our Outreach on Saturday,March 26th. |
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We will continue to offer two Sunday morning worship services to accommodate in-person attendees
The first service begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until approximately 9:30 a.m.; the second service begins at 11:00 a.m. The auditorium is sanitized between services. The weekly 10:30 a.m. devotional will continue as scheduled. The usual sign-up rules and COVID protocols remain in effect. When you access the online sign up form, you will be required to specify which service you would like to attend. Once capacity has been reached for a particular time slot, the form will no longer accept new registrations for that time slot. We will continue to livestream the 11:00 service on our YouTube channel, and we encourage members to utilize e-giving, even when attending in person.
PLEASE NOTE: THE LINK BELOW IS FOR NEXT WEEK'S SERVICE. PLEASE SEE LAST WEEK'S E-BULLETIN FOR THE SIGN-UP LINK FOR THE APRIL 3RD SERVICE.
In-Person Worship Sign-up
Please also note that there is a new registration link each week.
Links from previous weeks will not work.
E-giving link
Livestream link
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Don't Miss Out! Please scroll through the entire e-bulletin each week to be certain not to miss any important announcements or links. Many items are repeated each week, but there are also new announcements that you'll miss if you don't scroll through the entire bulletin.
See the following sections for new/updated announcements.
- News & Notes
- Worship & Class Schedule - Links to Services & Classes; link to worship attendance registration form for next week
- Latest on COVID-19
- Vaccine available for ages 5 and up. Booster shots available for J&J, Moderna, and Pfizer. Walk in appointments available at many clinics.
- Current and Upcoming Events
- Monday-Friday Meal Distribution, 1:30 p.m. daily
- Ladies Take Note
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4th Sunday Ladies' Class, 4/24/22 @5pm VIA ZOOM. See below for connection details.
- Mature in Heart, 2022 Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion, October 28-29
- Men Take Note
- 4th Sunday Men's Class, 3/27/22 @5pm at the church building.
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New England Lectureship - See updated flier. Register now and book your hotel room before they are all gone! See below for links to registration, vendor and souvenir booklet ad forms.
TextAlertz: If you are signed up to receive church text blasts via textalertz, but have stopped receiving the blasts, please email Sis. Gallington at ggallington@gmail.com so she can troubleshoot the issue.
Please keep us updated: Please keep us apprised of any changes to your address, phone number and email address so that we can maintain an accurate database of member information. Please notify Sis Nagarajah at enagarajah@gmail.com or Sis Gallington at ggallington@gmail.com of any changes to your contact information.
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Midweek Bible Study
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
via freeconferencecall.com
(Click image at left to join the class online, or see remote class schedule below for dial-in info)
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The 2022 New England Lectureship is scheduled for May 6-8 in Marlborough, MA. Theme: Each One Reach One. Links to registration, vendor, and souvenir booklet ad forms are included in this week’s e-bulletin. Registration is $50 per adult (ages 18 and up) until April 15, 2022. After that, the registration fee will be $55 per adult. Registration is free for youth ages 17 and under. No refunds will be issued after April 1, 2022.
Hotel Information: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center 181 Boston Post Road West ~ Marlborough, MA ~ 508-460-0700. Room Rate: $99 per night + tax. When you call to make your hotel reservation, request the New England Lectureship rate. Register and book your hotel room now so you don’t miss out. Our own Bro. Phillip Morrison will be one of the featured speakers.
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Click here for updated NEL Flier
Click here for NEL Registration Form
Click here for NEL Vendor Form
Click here for NEL Souvenir Booklet Ad Form
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Current & Upcoming Events |
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The Department of Public Health continues to urge all who are eligible to be vaccinated and/or boosted to do so, as vaccination is currently the best medical defense against the potentially deadly effects of COVID and its variants.
Although the City of Boston has lifted the mask mandate for most indoor spaces, masks are still required on public transportation, in hospitals and medical facilities, and the Department of Public Health (DPH) still recommends masking in indoor spaces for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Click here for the most recent advisory (March 1, 2022) from the Department of Public Health regarding face coverings and cloth masks.
All Massachusetts residents ages 5 and up are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and many facilities have walk-in hours. Booster shots are available for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines at many pharmacies and health care facilities. Use the link below if you need assistance scheduling an appointment or locating a facility.
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Click here or anywhere in the announcement above for more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). |
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Remote & In-Person
Class/Meeting Schedule
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Wednesday Night Dial-In Bible Study
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Dial in number: 978-990-5000
Access Code: 261232#
Or join the class online at
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Mid-Week Youth Bible Study
Wednesdays 7-7:30 p.m. via Zoom
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Women's Saturday Prayer Meeting
Join us for prayer on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. via freeconferencecall.com
Dial-in: 701-802-5069; Access code 3730930#
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REMINDER: Please remember to mute your phone or computer when joining any of the above conference calls to avoid interrupting the class or service you are entering, particularly if you are joining the call after the event has started. |
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1st & 2nd Fridays of the month @ 7:00 p.m.
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4th Sunday Ladies Class
Sunday, April 24th at 5 p.m.
VIA ZOOM ONLY
Sis. Miranda ADEkoje
Click here to join class online
Meeting ID: 842 7265 5713
Passcode: 037668
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SAVE THE DATE!
Our 2022 Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion is currently scheduled for October 28-29, 2022 to see "David" live on stage at the Sight & Sound Theatre
in Lancaster County.
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Sunday Morning Devotional: Brothers, please see Bro. Phillip Morrison if you would like to present a Sunday morning devotional at 10:30 a.m., prior to our Sunday morning worship service.
4th Sunday Men's Class Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the church building.
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No announcements at this time. |
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Young Adult Ministry (YAM) |
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No announcements at this time. |
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Monthly Ministry Meeting 1st Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m. |
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Meetings & Events
4/4-8 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
4/11-15 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
4/18-22 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
4/23 - Community Outreach, 10am @ church building
4/24 - Roxbury 4th Sunday Ladies' Class 5:00pm @via Zoom
4/24 - Roxbury 4th Sunday Men's Class, 5:00pm @church building
4/25-30 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
Masks are required for all in-person events
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Ministry Meetings - Please contact your ministry coordinator for remote meeting schedules.
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Weekly Events - ALL SERVICES, CLASSES, & MEETINGS NORMALLY HELD AT THE CHURCH BUILDING ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, except as noted below:
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- Sunday Bible Class (children) See above for connection info and times for individual classes.
- Sunday Adult Devotional/Bible Study, 10:30am @church building
- Sunday Worship Service 8:30 and 11:00 am in person and 11:00 a.m. via livestream on YouTube. See above for details.
- Men's/Women's Classes, 5pm (4th Sunday of the month); Men @church building; Women via Zoom (details above)
- Youth & Family Ministry (1st Sunday of the month at 2pm)
- Young Adult Ministry (2nd Sunday of the month at 6pm) VIA ZOOM
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Mature in Heart Women's Prayer (Tuesdays @ 10:30am) VIA TELECONFERENCE (connection info above)
- Prayer Meeting (Tuesdays @ 7pm) VIA TELECONFERENCE (connection info above)
- Mid-Week Bible Study (Wednesdays @ 6:30pm) VIA TELECONFERENCE (connection info above)
- New Converts' Class (Wednesdays @ 7pm) @church building
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Healing Hearts (Thursdays @6:15pm) VIA ZOOM
- Couple's Ministry (1st & 2nd Fridays @ 7 pm)
- Women's Prayer (Saturdays 9:30am) VIA TELECONFERENCE (Connection info above)
- Ministers/Elders/Deacons Wives Meeting, (3rd Saturday @10 am) @church building
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Bro. John Kurpiel, minister for the Lawrence congregation, hosts an international radio program, “Soul Food,” on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11AM until 3PM. The program airs on Ignite Radio Broadcast via Mixlr, an interactive internet radio platform. Use the link below to tune in to listen, or to participate in the conversation. Always free to listen. https://mixlr.com/ignite-radio-broadcast.
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Church of Christ in Roxbury
81 Walnut Avenue
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-5826
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