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Donations Requested for Cancer Treatment

Featured by atozmom, posted in Life

Hey all!

I hope you all are well and learning so much from God in our BSF study! God is so, so good!

I am writing to share with you all that I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, most likely caused by exposure to secondhand smoke as a child. I will require surgery to remove a portion of my lung and then recovery afterwards. The prognosis is good thanks to the Lord, as long as the pathology report comes back favorable.

I would appreciate any prayers you could send my way for a successful surgery and recovery.

If you would like to donate to help cover my cancer treatment costs, please use the donate button below or the link in my sidebar. Many thanks in advance, and lots of love!

DONATE HERE

Many blessings to you all!

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BSF Study Questions Romans: From Guilt to Grace Lesson 1, Day 2: Romans 1:1-7

by atozmom, posted in BSF Romans: From Guilt to Grace 2026/2027

Summary of Romans 1:1-7

Paul was called to bring the good news of the saving grace of Christ to Gentiles. He greets the Romans as such, saying they belong to Jesus and are loved by God and called to be His holy people.

BSF Study Questions Romans: From Guilt to Grace Lesson 1, Day 2: Romans 1:1-7

3a) “A servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God”

b) We learn that Paul’s authenticity and veracity are questioned because of his previous persecution of Christians, yet he was successful in converting people to Christ. We learn that Paul believes himself to be the worst of the worst of sinners, but Christ showed him mercy, so that Christ might show his patience in sinners. He received God’s grace, faith, and love.

Acts reveals Paul’s immediate preaching of Jesus’ divinity and apologetic skill, while 1 Timothy highlights his former violence, deep humility, and transformative grace.

4a) We learn that Christ has called the Gentiles to obedience through faith in Christ’s name and included them in the good news/eternal salvation of Christ’s death and resurrection on the cross.

Jesus is the divine Messiah saving all sinners—shown when even a violent persecutor like Paul receives complete forgiveness, infinite patience, and new purpose.

b) I am a Gentile who has been included and counted as a child of God, included in God’s grace and mercy to be saved by faith in Jesus for eternal life.

5a) He told the Romans that they are among those called to belong to Jesus. They are loved by God and called to be His holy people.

Paul encouraged Roman believers by affirming their divine calling, validating their identity as God’s loved saints, and blessing them with grace and peace.

b) All believers are unbelievably blessed to be called to be a part of God’s eternal kingdom. Therefore, we should all show grace and mercy to others.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Romans: From Guilt to Grace Lesson 1, Day 2: Romans 1:1-7

Love how Paul starts out with the best news of all — we are saved! You could literally stop reading here since if that’s all you get from Paul, you got the most important message.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Romans: From Guilt to Grace Lesson 1, Day 2: Romans 1:1-7

There are almost no commentators who dispute that Paul is the author of Romans. It is believed this great book of the Bible was written somewhere around 55 AD in the city of Corinth. He would have been on his third missionary journey. Acts 20:2-3. This is based on Romans 16:1 and 16:23 along with 1 Corinthians 1:14. He planned to visit Rome after he went to Jerusalem.

Note Paul is first a servant of Christ and then an apostle. A servant is utterly devoted.

Romans is a book about God, different than Paul’s other letters, which focus on the churches he wrote to.

Fun Fact: The word “God” appears 153 times in the book of Romans, more than any other New Testament book.

If you look at the frequency of other words in Romans (Lord appears 43 times and faith appears 40 times), you’ll see a huge difference.

Paul did not found the church in Rome, which is different than the other churches he wrote to.

Jesus Christ is the center.

“Grace to you” is a traditional greeting used by Greeks. “Peace from God” is a traditional greeting used by the Jews. Note how Paul is already including the Gentiles here.

Christians are called to live differently. We are made righteous and justified through the blood of Christ on the cross. Christ gives us his perfection so that we can stand with God once again.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Romans 1:1–7 functions as Paul’s formal prescript, but it packs an entire systematic theology into a single sentence. Because Paul had not yet visited the church in Rome, he uses this greeting as a theological resume, establishing his authority, defining his message, and honoring his audience.

1. The Messenger: Identity and Authority (v. 1) Paul introduces himself with three distinct titles:

  • “Servant” (Doulos): Expresses absolute devotion and ownership by Christ. In a Roman context, a slave lacked status, but in a Hebrew context, “servant of the Lord” placed Paul in line with Moses, David, and the prophets.

  • “Called to be an apostle”: Establishes that his leadership was not self-appointed or humanly assigned, but directly commissioned by God.

  • “Set apart for the gospel”: His singular focus and lifelong vocation are dedicated entirely to God’s good news.

2. The Message: The Gospel’s Roots and Realities (vv. 2–4) Paul immediately grounds his theology in history and Christology:

  • Promised beforehand (v. 2): The gospel is not a novel invention or a departure from Judaism; it is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures.

  • According to the flesh (v. 3): Refers to Jesus’ human lineage as a descendant of King David, establishing his legal right to the messianic throne.

  • Declared Son of God in power (v. 4): The Resurrection did not make Jesus God’s Son, but it vindicated Him, revealing His divine power and authority as the resurrected Messiah.

3. The Mission: Bringing Faith to the Nations (vv. 5–6)

  • Grace and Apostleship: Paul attributes his calling to unmerited favor (grace), which empowers his office (apostleship).

  • “Obedience of faith”: Real faith is not merely intellectual assent; true belief produces active obedience.

  • Among all the Gentiles: Paul clarifies his target audience. The church in Rome contained both Jews and Gentiles, but Paul highlights his specific call to the non-Jewish world.

4. The Recipients: Believers in Rome (v. 7) Paul addresses the Christians in Rome not as a geographic institution, but as a community defined by grace:

  • Loved by God & Called to be saints: “Saint” (hagios) means “set apart.” Believers do not become saints through extraordinary moral effort; it is their identity based on God’s call.

  • Grace and Peace: Paul combines the standard Greek greeting (charis / grace) and Hebrew greeting (shalom / peace), anchoring both in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Romans 1:1–7 anchors Paul’s gospel in ancient prophecy, reveals Jesus’ divinity through resurrection, and unites believers as God’s loved, called saints under grace.

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Beginning Posting Dates for BSF’s Study Romans: From Guilt to Grace!

by atozmom, posted in BSF Romans: From Guilt to Grace 2026/2027

Hey all!

I will begin posting BSF’s Study Romans: From Guilt to Grace’s answers beginning next Monday, August 24th, 2026. You can expect the same format as last year with a thorough commentary and conclusion for your greater understanding!

Subscribe to my BSF blog to not miss a single post!

Please comment and ask questions as much as you want, so we all can learn and form community!

Looking forward to what God will do this year!

God bless!

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Start Dates for BSF’s Study Romans: From Guilt to Grace

by atozmom, posted in BSF Romans: From Guilt to Grace 2026/2027

Hey all!

Here is my annual post on when you all are starting Bible Study Fellowship’s study of Romans: From Guilt to Grace.

In the United States, the study usually begins the week after Labor Day, but I know some of you begin in August!

Please post in the comments below with the date and location, so others in your area can see them.

I am unsure yet when I’ll begin posting, but I am thinking I will post sooner this year so that those in other parts of the world have the answers, too! Waiting to see your responses below before I announce my start date!

God bless!

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Who Wrote the Book of Romans?

by atozmom, posted in BSF Romans: From Guilt to Grace 2026/2027

The Book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul (originally known as Saul of Tarsus).

Unlike some ancient documents where authorship is debated by modern scholars, there is nearly universal agreement among historians and theologians—both secular and religious—that Paul is the mastermind behind this letter. It is considered the bedrock of his authentic writings.

The Details Behind the Writing

While Paul is the author, the actual process of getting the letter onto parchment involved a team effort:

  • The Author (The Mind): Paul Paul was uniquely qualified to write this letter. He was a Roman citizen by birth, deeply educated in Greek philosophy, and a strictly trained Jewish Pharisee. This rare combination allowed him to bridge the cultural gap between Jewish and non-Jewish (Gentile) believers in Rome.

  • The Scribe (The Pen): Tertius Paul rarely physically wrote his own letters, likely due to poor eyesight or the common practice of the day. He dictated the letter to a Christian scribe named Tertius, who actually writes his own little greeting near the very end: “I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.” (Romans 16:22).

  • The Courier (The Delivery): Phoebe Once the scroll was finished, it had to be hand-delivered from Greece to Italy. Paul entrusted this incredibly important task to a woman named Phoebe, a deacon/servant of the church in Cenchreae (near Corinth). She carried the theological masterpiece across the Mediterranean to the Roman house churches.

When and Where Was It Written?

Paul wrote the letter around 57 AD from the city of Corinth (in modern-day Greece).

He was at a major turning point in his life. He had spent years planting churches in the Eastern Mediterranean and was preparing to take financial aid to the impoverished Christians in Jerusalem. After that, he planned to head west to Spain—and he wanted to stop in Rome along the way to use their church as a launching pad for his new mission. Romans was his theological resume and introduction to them.

Contact me with questions today!

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Why Study the Book of Romans?

by atozmom, posted in BSF Romans: From Guilt to Grace 2026/2027

If the New Testament were a mountain range, the Book of Romans would be its highest peak. Written by the Apostle Paul, this letter has arguably shaped history more than any other piece of literature.

But beyond its historical weight, studying Romans is a deeply personal, transformative experience. Here is why it remains essential reading today:

1. It is the Ultimate “Core Theology” Masterclass

If you have ever struggled to understand how the pieces of the Christian faith fit together, Romans is your roadmap. Paul methodically lays out the grand narrative of the gospel. It takes you on a logical journey from the problem of human brokenness to the legal reality of forgiveness, the psychology of spiritual struggle, and the ultimate hope of eternity. It turns abstract concepts like grace, justification, and sanctification into clear, life-giving realities.

2. It Flattens the Playing Field

We live in a world obsessed with comparison, moral superiority, and division. Romans forcefully tears down those walls. Paul argues that before God, there is no hierarchy of goodness—we are all equally in need of rescue. By removing the burden of trying to “earn” our way into God’s favor, Romans offers a profound sense of relief. It replaces religious performance anxiety with radical humility and gratitude.

3. It Answers the “Why Do I Still Mess Up?” Dilemma

One of the most relatable sections in all of scripture is Romans Chapter 7, where Paul openly groans about his own inner conflict: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” If you have ever felt like a hypocrite or wondered why changing your habits is so hard, Romans provides deeply comforting psychological and spiritual insights into the human condition—and shows you how the Holy Spirit provides the power to actually change.

4. It Provides Unshakeable Psychological Security

Anxiety, shame, and fear of rejection are universal human struggles. Romans Chapter 8 acts as the ultimate antidote to these fears. It contains some of the most comforting promises ever written, establishing that for those who walk in faith, there is absolute security.

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1) “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

5. It Turns Deep Belief into Real-World Action

Romans isn’t just an intellectual exercise or a book of abstract philosophy. In chapters 12 through 16, Paul pivots sharply into practical application. He challenges readers to take this massive theology of grace and apply it to their messy, everyday lives. It answers questions like:

  • How do I love people who disagree with me?

  • How do I respond to difficult authorities?

  • How do we build a unified community out of incredibly diverse people?

The Verdict

To study Romans is to look into a mirror that perfectly reflects our flaws, only to look up and see a horizon filled with unconditional love and purpose. Throughout history, whenever the church or individuals have grown cold, a deep dive into Romans has sparked revival.

Contact me with questions today!

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About The Book of Romans

by atozmom, posted in BSF Romans: From Guilt to Grace 2026/2027

The Letter to the Romans is widely considered the theological masterpiece of the New Testament. Written by the Apostle Paul around 57 AD while he was staying in the city of Corinth, it stands out from his other letters. While most of Paul’s epistles were sent to churches he had already founded to fix specific problems, Paul hadn’t actually visited Rome yet when he wrote this.

Instead, Romans serves as a comprehensive, masterfully argued introduction of his message to a church community he hoped to visit soon.

The Core Theme: The Gospel of Grace

If you had to boil the entire book down to one sentence, it’s this: All people are broken by sin, but anyone can be made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, completely apart from their own performance.

Paul builds a massive, logical legal argument over 16 chapters, shifting from human brokenness to radical hope.

1. The Universal Problem (Chapters 1–3)

Paul starts by leveling the playing field. He argues that no one has a moral high ground. Whether someone is deeply religious or completely non-religious, everyone fails to live up to God’s perfect standard.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

2. The Solution: Justification by Faith (Chapters 4–5)

Since nobody can earn their way to heaven by being “good enough,” God steps in with a rescue plan. Paul introduces the concept of justification—a legal term meaning to be declared “not guilty.” Because Jesus took the penalty for human wrongdoing on the cross, God offers forgiveness as a free gift. The only requirement? Faith.

3. Power to Change (Chapters 6–8)

Paul addresses a common misunderstanding: If God’s grace covers everything, can we just keep doing whatever we want? Paul responds with a resounding “No.” He explains that faith genuinely changes a person from the inside out. Chapter 8 is the emotional high point of the book, focusing on the Holy Spirit’s power to help believers live out this new life, concluding with the famous promise that absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love.

4. God’s Big-Picture Plan (Chapters 9–11)

Here, Paul tackles a complicated historical question: How do Israel (God’s historic people) and the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) fit together in this new plan? He explains that God hasn’t abandoned anyone; rather, He is weaving a massive, diverse tapestry of believers from every nation.

5. Faith in Real Life (Chapters 12–16)

The book shifts from deep theology to practical, everyday advice. Paul explains what a life transformed by grace actually looks like:

  • Loving your enemies.

  • Using your unique strengths to help the community.

  • Navigating disagreements with empathy and maturity.

  • Living as a good citizen.

Why It Matters Today

Romans is essentially the foundational text for Christian theology. It was Martin Luther’s study of Romans that sparked the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, turning the religious world upside down by rediscovering the concept of grace.

For readers today, it remains a profound deep dive into the human condition, the psychology of struggle, and the radical concept of unconditional love and forgiveness.

Contact me with questions!

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BSF’s Study Book for Romans: From Guilt to Grace is Now Available!

by atozmom, posted in BSF Romans: From Guilt to Grace 2026/2027

Hey All!

Finally!

You can now order the study guide for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)’s fall study Romans: From Guilt to Grace

Go to https://bsfstore.org/collections/books for the English, Spanish, or Chinese version.

Caution: the shipping is almost $11, making this book $30 in total. Just an FYI.

To learn more about the upcoming study of the book of Romans, see BSF’s video HERE

I will be posting more on this free online Bible study in the upcoming weeks!

See you in the Fall, and catch the last of my summer Bible study!

God bless, and I’m so excited about what God will do in the forthcoming months!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Born to Dwell: Christ’s Incarnation: Week 4, Day 6: John 1:14

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Born to Dwell: Christ's Incarnation

Passage John 1:14

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Questions for John 1:14

15 ) Just what a miracle the birth of Jesus was. This study has really drove home the entire magnitude and significance of Jesus’ birth and how it changed the world in one instant. I love the Magi’s long journey based solely on faith. I love God’s intervention to derail Herod’s schemes. I just love how the hand of God works all things for our good.

16) Jesus’ birth and belief in the One, True God changes how you live, your priorities, and what matters in this world. I want to live more for my family and for what God wants for me in this world. The consequences of unbelief is eternal hell.

Conclusions to WordGo Born to Dwell: Christ’s Incarnation: Week 4, Day 5: John 1:14

The divine Word took on human flesh and made His home among us, revealing the Father’s true glory, completely full of unfathomable grace and truth.

I love the Christmas story! Such a story of hope!

Contact me with questions today!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Born to Dwell: Christ’s Incarnation: Week 4, Day 5: John 1:14

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Born to Dwell: Christ's Incarnation

Summary of John 1:14

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Questions for John 1:14

12 ) I wish for more of all of those. Who doesn’t want more peace, grace, and truth in their life? I know peace. I try to understand grace as Christ offers it to me and try to offer grace to others. I know the truth in Christ.

13) As the Word. As glorious. As full of grace and truth. As one who came from the Father. It really doesn’t say what it takes to know him. But, if you know he is the truth, that’s the crux of the matter.

14) Jesus is God who is our Creator. He is in full control with power over all. Humans are frail, imperfect, and full of sin. Jesus is perfect, free from sin, and our hope.

Conclusions to WordGo Born to Dwell: Christ’s Incarnation: Week 4, Day 5: John 1:14

The Word became human and lived among us. We witnessed His glory—the radiant glory of the Father’s one and only Son, overflowing with grace and truth.

Such great words! Our path only grows more as we walk with Jesus!

Contact me with questions today!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Born to Dwell: Christ’s Incarnation: Week 4, Day 4: John 1:6-13

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Born to Dwell: Christ's Incarnation

Summary of John 1:6-13

The light came into the world to give the right to become children of God born of god although the world did not recognize Him.

Questions for John 1:6-13

9 ) I can just tell those I meet about Jesus and what he has done for me. I can serve others and demonstrate his grace. In short, I can aim to do what Jesus would do!

10) True. Without God, you have no purpose. Without the true God—our Creator—we lack the ultimate standard for truth, identity, and morality, leaving us blindly guessing our purpose in a broken world.

11) Receive is accept or believe in him. Believe is to have faith in who Jesus is. New birth is born again as a believer into the family of God.

Conclusions to WordGo Born to Dwell: Christ’s Incarnation: Week 4, Day 4: John 1:6-13

John was sent by God to be a witness to the light. Though the world rejected Him, those believing in Jesus received the right to become spiritually reborn children of God.

I love how all we have to do is believe, and the rest is taken care of. So, so amazing!

I love being a child of God, even at my age. So, so grateful!

Contact me with questions today!