Friday, November 15, 2019

Reflection - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 8, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", Page 85.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


Meditate on the phrases in the hymn and try to apply them in your life.
PHOTO: Meditate on the phrases in the hymn and try to apply them in your life. How does Christ bring peace and healing to you?
Peace come to humanity when God and man are reconciled through the mediating work of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). We are justified not by our own righteousness, which is at best a feeble attempt to bridge the huge gap that exists between God and us, but by the righteousness of Christ (shown in His sinless nature and total obedience to the Father) and His death on the cross on our behalf. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

He brings peace to the heart and peace among people. This He does through His sacrifice on the cross and by sending His Spirit to us. The song also makes reference to the prophecy of Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament. "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves" (Malachi 4:2).

It is His righteousness that saves us. He comes to us like the rising of the sun, and brings with Him healing - in every way. He brings true light and life because He himself is the Light (John 9:5) and Life (John 11:25; 14:6). He came as a baby, laying aside His divine glory; though God, He made himself nothing to be born as a human baby; He humbled himself to die on the cross to save us (Philippians 2:6-8). He was born that we no more may die the second death (punishment in hell for our sins). He was born that we may be born again (spiritual birth). He changes our eternal destiny so that we can rise as the new sons (and daughters) of earth from condemnation and eternal death.


What does it mean to have your heart as God's home?
In a more personal way, Jesus is not only our Saviour, but He is also my Saviour. His work has to do with the individual soul too. Each of us has a heart that needs to be conquered by the love of the Son of God. Our hearts must belong to Him and become His "humble home". The Holy Spirit lives in us when we place our faith in Christ (John 14:17). Not only is the Sprit residing in us, but the Father and the Son make their home in us too (John 14:23). This is absolutely mind boggling, that the triune God of heaven should choose to make His home in each of us.


How does Jesus bruise the serpent's head in your heart?
Our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual "illness" (serpent's head) of sinfulness. Our corrupt nature needs to be replaced by a new nature. We are, in the words of Christian author and professor Mark R. McMinn, "noble ruins", carrying both the nature of God, which has been marred within us because of the fall of humankind into sin, and the fallen nature of Adam (Genesis 5:1-3). The old, sinful self has been working in collusion with the devil, who has gained entry into the fallen heart of man. Christ, the woman's offspring ("the Conquering Seed") foretold in Genesis 3:15, not only crushes the serpent's head at the cross, but also in our hearts: "Bruise in us the serpent's head".

The Lord Jesus is in us as a living Person and as a spontaneous automatic life-power; He in us automatically and spontaneously defeats the enemy as long as we cooperate with Him. When we cooperate with the Lord by employing the blood of the Lamb, by the word of our testimony, and by not loving our soul-life even unto death, the spontaneous life-power of Christ as the life-seed bruises the serpent’s head in us. Spontaneously. Automatically. (Revelation 12:10-11).


How is He being formed in your soul?
This is achieved through the "mystic union" between Christ and us (see Romans 6:5), so that he dwells in our inner man (Ephesians 3:16-17) in order to fill us with "all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). This is profound spiritual theology that shows how we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved to the uttermost.
Picture posted by "My Angel Card Readings" Website ©, Mary Jac
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This much-loved carol was written by the gifted Charles Wesley in 1739.

PHOTO: This much-loved carol was written by the gifted Charles Wesley in 1739.
Picture posted by MaryGif2020 on Monday, 10 September 2018
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Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Refrain
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest Heav'n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th'incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav'nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Adam's likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

(Source: A Collection of Hymns for Social Worship, More Particularly Designed for the Use of the Tabernacle and Chapel Congregation in London [London: William Straham, 1758])

History of the Carol [1]
This much-loved carol was written by the gifted Charles Wesley in 1739. The original words were slightly different; e.g., the first line was "Hark, how all the welkin rings". "Welkin" refers to the sky, but its meaning is lost on modern people. The equivalent translation that is sung today is more understandable and is similar to what Wesley had in mind.

Charles published "Hark, how all the welkin rings" in his Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739. The line was changed in 1754 to the one we are familiar with today by George Whitefield (1714-1770), a friend and co-worker of the Wesley brothers. He also changed "Glory to the King of kings" to "Glory to the newborn King", thus making a clear reference to Christmas. Originally, Charles preferred a slow and solemn tune (he used the tune for his Easter song "Christ the Lord is Risen Today"), but in 1855 a cantata composed in 1840 by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was used by his fan, the organist, composer, and singer William H. Cummings (1831-1915) for the carol, and this version was published in Richard Chope's Congregational Hymn and Tune Book of 1857. This is the tune that we are familiar with. These were some subsequent changes to the lyric and the addition of the first two lines as a refrain at the end of each verse. Also, only the first three verses are commonly sung today.

Many of Charles Wesley's hymn are still sung in churches throughout the world. His "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is sung today in many languages and by all generations, Charles said, "God buries his workmen, but carries on his work." (These words are found on a monument, in Westminster Abbey, dedicated to Charles Wesley and his brother, John.) How right Charles was.


Many of Charles Wesley's hymn are still sung in churches throughout the world.

PHOTO: Many of Charles Wesley's hymn are still sung in churches throughout the world. His "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is sung today in many languages and by all generations, Charles said, "God buries his workmen, but carries on his work."
Picture posted by newroombristol.org.uk
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Biblical Insights from the Carol [1]
Charles Wesley's carol is rich in biblical truth and poetic beauty. He begins the song with the word "hark", which means "listen", the same way we understand the word "harken". Though we do not commonly use "hark" or "harken", we must know what it means when we sing the song.

We are called to listen to the songs of the angels (who were heralds, the bearers of God's glorious proclamation) ringing in the skies - as the shepherds heard them on that first Christmas night. They sang a song of glory to God and a song of peace on earth. The carol explains how this peace has come to humanity. It comes when God and man are reconciled through the mediating work of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). We are justified not by our own righteousness, which is at best a feeble attempt to bridge the huge gap that exists between God and us, but by the righteousness of Christ (shown in His sinless nature and total obedience to the Father) and His death on the cross on our behalf. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).


We are called to listen to the songs of the angels (who were heralds, the bearers of God's glorious proclamation) ringing in the skies - as the shepherds heard them on that first Christmas night.

PHOTO: We are called to listen to the songs of the angels (who were heralds, the bearers of God's glorious proclamation) ringing in the skies - as the shepherds heard them on that first Christmas night. They sang a song of glory to God and a song of peace on earth. The carol explains how this peace has come to humanity.
Picture saved from Heaven Sent Readings
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The truth of Christmas is that God "was reconciling the world to himself in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:19). This is the amazing feat of the grace of God. This is such a glorious truth that all the nations are urged to rise in song to join the triumphant song of the angels, to know deeply what it means to sing. "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

The second stanza tells of the mystery of the incarnation. Christ is the "everlasting Lord" - He is God himself, the second person of the Trinity (John 1:1). His divinity is declared by Scripture (John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1).


The truth of Christmas is that God 'was reconciling the world to himself in Christ' (2 Corinthians 5:19).


PHOTO: The truth of Christmas is that God "was reconciling the world to himself in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:19). This is the amazing feat of the grace of God. This is such a glorious truth that all the nations are urged to rise in song to join the triumphant song of the angels, to know deeply what it means to sing. "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Picture saved by April Conrad to My Precious Jesus
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Christ was adored by the highest heaven - He was the great treasure of heaven. Then one day, at the appointed time, "when the set time had fully come" (Galatians 4:4), or as Wesley put it, "late in time", we behold Him come as the offspring of a virgin's womb (see Genesis 3:15; Revelation 12:5). The mystery of Christ, fully divine and fully human, is expressed by phrases in the carol: "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see" and "hail the incarnate deity" (Stanza 2). "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). He literally (according to the original Greek) pitched His tent among us. The church fathers would subsequently explain why we need a Saviour who is fully God and fully man. No other person could save us the way Jesus did. He is Jesus (the One who saves) as well as Emmanuel (the God who is with us).


Christ was adored by the highest heaven - He was the great treasure of heaven.

PHOTO: Christ was adored by the highest heaven - He was the great treasure of heaven. The mystery of Christ, fully divine and fully human. The church fathers would subsequently explain why we need a Saviour who is fully God and fully man. No other person could save us the way Jesus did. He is Jesus (the One who saves) as well as Emmanuel (the God who is with us).
Picture saved by Elizabeth to Easter
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In the third stanza, reference is made to the prophecy in Isaiah about the birth of Christ. He is given various titles, including the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). He is the One who gives us peace that is beyond whatever this world can offer (John 14:27). He brings peace to the heart and peace among people. This He does through His sacrifice on the cross and by sending His Spirit to us. The song also makes reference to the prophecy of Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament. "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves" (Malachi 4:2).


Reference is made to the prophecy in Isaiah about the birth of Christ.

PHOTO: Reference is made to the prophecy in Isaiah about the birth of Christ. He is given various titles, including the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). He is the One who gives us peace that is beyond whatever this world can offer (John 14:27). He brings peace to the heart and peace among people.
Picture posted by MaryGif2020 on Monday, 10 September 2018
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It is His righteousness that saves us. He comes to us like the rising of the sun, and brings with Him healing - in every way. He brings true light and life because He himself is the Light (John 9:5) and Life (John 11:25; 14:6). He came as a baby, laying aside His divine glory; though God, He made himself nothing to be born as a human baby; He humbled himself to die on the cross to save us (Philippians 2:6-8). He was born that we no more may die the second death (punishment in hell for our sins). He was born that we may be born again (spiritual birth). He changes our eternal destiny so that we can rise as the new sons (and daughters) of earth from condemnation and eternal death.


He comes to us like the rising of the sun, and brings with Him healing - in every way.

PHOTO: He comes to us like the rising of the sun, and brings with Him healing - in every way. He brings true light and life because He himself is the Light (John 9:5) and Life (John 11:25; 14:6). He changes our eternal destiny so that we can rise as the new sons (and daughters) of earth from condemnation and eternal death.
Picture posted by MaryGif2020 on Monday, 10 September 2018
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The last two stanza bring us to more deep theology, in a more personal way. Jesus is not only our Saviour, but He is also my Saviour. His work has to do with the individual soul too. Each of us has a heart that needs to be conquered by the love of the Son of God. Our hearts must belong to Him and become His "humble home" (Stanza 4). The Holy Spirit lives in us when we place our faith in Christ (John 14:17). Not only is the Sprit residing in us, but the Father and the Son make their home in us too (John 14:23). This is absolutely mind boggling, that the triune God of heaven should choose to make His home in each of us.


Each of us has a heart that needs to be conquered by the love of the Son of God.

PHOTO: Each of us has a heart that needs to be conquered by the love of the Son of God. Our hearts must belong to Him and become His "humble home". The Holy Spirit lives in us when we place our faith in Christ (John 14:17). Not only is the Sprit residing in us, but the Father and the Son make their home in us too (John 14:23).
Picture posted by Jeff Kennedy in 2013
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He wants to do this because our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual "illness" of sinfulness. Our corrupt nature needs to be replaced by a new nature. We are, in the words of Christian author and professor Mark R. McMinn, "noble ruins", carrying both the nature of God, which has been marred within us because of the fall of humankind into sin, and the fallen nature of Adam (Genesis 5:1-3). The old, sinful self has been working in collusion with the devil, who has gained entry into the fallen heart of man. Christ, the woman's offspring ("the Conquering Seed") foretold in Genesis 3:15, not only crushes the serpent's head at the cross, but also in our hearts: "Bruise in us the serpent's head" (Stanza 4).


Our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual 'illness' of sinfulness.
PHOTO: Our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual "illness" of sinfulness. Our corrupt nature needs to be replaced by a new nature. The old, sinful self has been working in collusion with the devil, who has gained entry into the fallen heart of man.
Picture saved by Cultura Inquieta to Arte digital | Digital art
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http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2017/06/reflection-key-lessons-learned-from-2.html
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Wesley focuses on the process of sanctification by which we are made holy and become Christ-like. This follows our sanctification and will lead us to our glorification in Christ, when we will perfectly reflect the glory of Christ in our inner selves. The old nature is replaced by the new nature, which is the character of Christ as He is "Formed in each believing heart" (Stanza 5). This was the longing of the apostle Paul as he struggled to see Christ formed in believers (Galatians 4:19). This is achieved through the "mystic union" between Christ and us (see Romans 6:5), so that he dwells in our inner man (Ephesians 3:16-17) in order to fill us with "all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). This is profound spiritual theology that shows how we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved to the uttermost.


The old nature is replaced by the new nature, which is the character of Christ as He is 'Formed in each believing heart'.
PHOTO: The old nature is replaced by the new nature, which is the character of Christ as He is "Formed in each believing heart". This is achieved through the "mystic union" between Christ and us (see Romans 6:5), so that he dwells in our inner man (Ephesians 3:16-17) in order to fill us with "all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). This is profound spiritual theology that shows how we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved to the uttermost.
Artwork by James Taylor (concept art and creative advertising firm) - Human Metaformosis
Picture posted by Hidden mana on 31 August 2016
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http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2017/06/reflection-key-lessons-learned-from-2.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/08/reflection-how-to-consecrate-our.html


The wonderful salvation began on Christmas Day, when the Son of God, our Saviour, was born in Bethlehem.


The wonderful salvation began on Christmas Day, when the Son of God, our Saviour, was born in Bethlehem.
PHOTO: The wonderful salvation began on Christmas Day, when the Son of God, our Saviour, was born in Bethlehem.
Picture posted by Zsuzsanna Tasi
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Meditate on the phrases in the hymn and try to apply them in your life. How does Christ bring peace and healing to you? What does it mean to have your heart as God's home? How does Jesus bruise the serpent's head in your heart? How is He being formed in your soul?

Meditate on the phrases in the hymn and try to apply them in your life. How does Christ bring peace and healing to you?
Peace come to humanity when God and man are reconciled through the mediating work of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). We are justified not by our own righteousness, which is at best a feeble attempt to bridge the huge gap that exists between God and us, but by the righteousness of Christ (shown in His sinless nature and total obedience to the Father) and His death on the cross on our behalf. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).


Peace come to humanity when God and man are reconciled through the mediating work of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5).

PHOTO: Peace come to humanity when God and man are reconciled through the mediating work of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). We are justified not by our own righteousness but by the righteousness of Christ (shown in His sinless nature and total obedience to the Father) and His death on the cross on our behalf. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
Picture posted by Daily Dose on 08 January 2014
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https://heartfixxer.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/green-pastures.jpg
https://heartfixxer.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/wednesday-january-8-2014/


He brings peace to the heart and peace among people. This He does through His sacrifice on the cross and by sending His Spirit to us. The song also makes reference to the prophecy of Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament. "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves" (Malachi 4:2).


He brings peace to the heart and peace among people.

PHOTO: He brings peace to the heart and peace among people. "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves" (Malachi 4:2).
Picture posted by Dave Barkow on Monday, 12 November 2018
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn1sz8us3Dc_ydHNacJFbfPkpdrLo56gtZgPGnjC1hHf9n9Q_g40SA1o6ScRTDQFJ8AEy_2n7R2ZJD5UNFcNIafArxY7b7fJ_Ssu9dqHJkuPqPanjsJiT6-r-k0UkeNBfnTkpeslUYvY/s1600/Healing-in-its-wings_d600_1.png
https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-26014988/images/5beb0b58e989596P1OIl/Healing-in-its-wings_d600.jpg
http://christthelord.net/passages-from-pastor/malachi-4-2/


It is His righteousness that saves us. He comes to us like the rising of the sun, and brings with Him healing - in every way. He brings true light and life because He himself is the Light (John 9:5) and Life (John 11:25; 14:6). He came as a baby, laying aside His divine glory; though God, He made himself nothing to be born as a human baby; He humbled himself to die on the cross to save us (Philippians 2:6-8). He was born that we no more may die the second death (punishment in hell for our sins). He was born that we may be born again (spiritual birth). He changes our eternal destiny so that we can rise as the new sons (and daughters) of earth from condemnation and eternal death.


He was born that we no more may die the second death (punishment in hell for our sins).
He was born that we no more may die the second death (punishment in hell for our sins).


PHOTO: He was born that we no more may die the second death (punishment in hell for our sins). He was born that we may be born again (spiritual birth). He changes our eternal destiny so that we can rise as the new sons (and daughters) of earth from condemnation and eternal death.
Picture posted by hiclipart.com
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https://www.hiclipart.com/free-transparent-background-png-clipart-molcb


What does it mean to have your heart as God's home?
In a more personal way, Jesus is not only our Saviour, but He is also my Saviour. His work has to do with the individual soul too. Each of us has a heart that needs to be conquered by the love of the Son of God. Our hearts must belong to Him and become His "humble home" (Stanza 4). The Holy Spirit lives in us when we place our faith in Christ (John 14:17). Not only is the Sprit residing in us, but the Father and the Son make their home in us too (John 14:23). This is absolutely mind boggling, that the triune God of heaven should choose to make His home in each of us.


The Holy Spirit lives in us when we place our faith in Christ (John 14:17). Not only is the Sprit residing in us, but the Father and the Son make their home in us too (John 14:23).

PHOTO: The Holy Spirit lives in us when we place our faith in Christ (John 14:17). Not only is the Sprit residing in us, but the Father and the Son make their home in us too (John 14:23).
Picture posted by reiki-healing-l on Thursday, 14 November 2019 at 13:57
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTL2xEWa0elk0fF-ylcrk7gUbuY3_5BYduTQa_U3NfrYKv2E9Yt99SEORQ_DKNQlihaQY2TEcFKHlBa1X6EyUoe6jpo-rSUaGuFHpBO-5smtp8-nG062XL_H_a1k2l-9PkDav2nV2HOk/s1600/617626162.jpg
http://reiki-healing-l.org/_ph/5/617626162.jpg
http://reiki-healing-l.org/photo/fehntezi/5-2


How does Jesus bruise the serpent's head in your heart?
Our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual "illness" (serpent's head) of sinfulness. Our corrupt nature needs to be replaced by a new nature. We are, in the words of Christian author and professor Mark R. McMinn, "noble ruins", carrying both the nature of God, which has been marred within us because of the fall of humankind into sin, and the fallen nature of Adam (Genesis 5:1-3). The old, sinful self has been working in collusion with the devil, who has gained entry into the fallen heart of man. Christ, the woman's offspring ("the Conquering Seed") foretold in Genesis 3:15, not only crushes the serpent's head at the cross, but also in our hearts: "Bruise in us the serpent's head" (Stanza 4).


Our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual 'illness' (serpent's head) of sinfulness
Our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual 'illness' (serpent's head) of sinfulness.


PHOTO: Our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual "illness" (serpent's head) of sinfulness. Our corrupt nature needs to be replaced by a new nature. The spontaneous life-power of Christ as the life-seed bruises the serpent’s head in us.
Picture posted by Goodsalt - Promise of the Snake's Demise
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https://www.goodsalt.com/details/rhpas0905.html


The Lord Jesus is in us as a living Person and as a spontaneous automatic life-power; He in us automatically and spontaneously defeats the enemy as long as we cooperate with Him. When we cooperate with the Lord by employing the blood of the Lamb, by the word of our testimony, and by not loving our soul-life even unto death, the spontaneous life-power of Christ as the life-seed bruises the serpent’s head in us. Spontaneously. Automatically. (Revelation 12:10-11). [2]


The Spontaneous Life-Power of Christ as the Life-Seed in us Bruises the Serpent’s Head in us (Revelation 12:10-11).

PHOTO: The Spontaneous Life-Power of Christ as the Life-Seed in us Bruises the Serpent’s Head in us (Revelation 12:10-11).
Picture posted by aGodMan on 06 October 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AsQADcZgYkzMvpsIDH8jUY62cBA8UBah5Lfy8H4gplzp0a7gp8FvySVONAky9y6qlZX8-qz-UbtwMgCeY2DZnpiTVIYptel72CkPMwxxxEfzhVeRd4fQMDnq73OXWCBdGt0H68YTrqM/s1600/The-spontaneous-life-power-of-Christ-as-the-life-seed-bruises-the-serpent%2525u2019s-head-in-us-as-we-employ-the-blood-of-the-Lamb.jpg
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https://www.agodman.com/blog/becoming-the-man-child-by-being-inwardly-strengthened-and-by-pray-reading-the-word/


How is He being formed in your soul?
This is achieved through the "mystic union" between Christ and us (see Romans 6:5), so that he dwells in our inner man (Ephesians 3:16-17) in order to fill us with "all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). This is profound spiritual theology that shows how we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved to the uttermost.


How is He being formed in your soul?

PHOTO: How is He being formed in your soul?
This is achieved through the "mystic union" between Christ and us (see Romans 6:5), so that he dwells in our inner man (Ephesians 3:16-17) in order to fill us with "all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). This is profound spiritual theology that shows how we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved to the uttermost.
Picture posted by Susanna Katherine - One Way To God
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy6qabTDm7mz__q2i5JuaDcmBCZdWI0QRRyrYEvpn3I1uo76GttdjDHJPFEhjTrgVksmcUrqUPzeDr9DW-dbpMvo659ypEj0dDQcWoxhwDj4qnA_rjOUBjiiyDS9E8RPqMQnJIz2L5-g/s1600/eccb79aca93fb2eb958e36eae09305fb.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ec/cb/79/eccb79aca93fb2eb958e36eae09305fb.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/714946509581607212/

 Dear Lord, Thank You for bringing peace and healing to us.
Dear Lord, Thank You for bringing peace and healing to us.



PHOTO: “Dear Lord, Thank You for bringing peace and healing to us. Peace come to humanity when You and man are reconciled through the mediating work of Jesus Christ. We are justified not by our own righteousness, but by the righteousness of Christ and His death on the cross on our behalf.

He brings peace to the heart and peace among people. This He does through His sacrifice on the cross and by sending His Spirit to us.

It is His righteousness that saves us. He comes to us like the rising of the sun, and brings with Him healing - in every way. He changes our eternal destiny so that we can rise as the new sons (and daughters) of earth from condemnation and eternal death.

In a more personal way, Jesus is not only our Saviour, but He is also my Saviour. His work has to do with the individual soul too. Each of us has a heart that needs to be conquered by the love of the Son of God. Our hearts must belong to Him and become His ‘humble home’. The Holy Spirit lives in us when we place our faith in Christ. Not only is the Spirit residing in us, but You and Christ make Your home in us too.

Our salvation not only has to do with removing our guilt of sin, but also our spiritual "illness" (serpent's head) of sinfulness. Our corrupt nature needs to be replaced by a new nature. Our old, sinful self has been working in collusion with the devil, who has gained entry into our fallen heart. But Christ, the woman's offspring (‘the Conquering Seed’), not only crushes the serpent's head at the cross, but also in our hearts.

Lord Jesus is in us as a living Person and as a spontaneous automatic life-power; He in us automatically and spontaneously defeats the enemy as long as we cooperate with Him. The spontaneous life-power of Christ as the life-seed bruises the serpent’s head in us.

Thank You for having Jesus Christ being formed in our soul. This is achieved through the ‘mystic union’ between Christ and us, so that he dwells in our inner man in order to fill us with ‘all the fullness of God’. This is how we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved to the uttermost.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen!”
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Reflection - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Question from source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 8, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", Page 85.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012





Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
Reference
[1] From "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Copyright © 2017 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-11-6752-2, Chapter 8, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", Page 77-85.

[2] aGodMan, The Spontaneous Life-Power of Christ as the Life-Seed in us Bruises the Serpent’s Head in us, posted on 06 October 2015, https://www.agodman.com/blog/becoming-the-man-child-by-being-inwardly-strengthened-and-by-pray-reading-the-word/


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John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A28%3B+Romans+9%3A5%3B+Titus+2%3A13%3B+Hebrews+1%3A8%3B+2+Peter+1%3A1&version=NIV

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