2012 December 10 - Morning Manna

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel
(Isaiah 7:13-14).

Today's Morsel: I can remember as kids when we had a secret and we wanted to share it with our friends and we didn't want them to tell anyone else, we would say to them, "Cross your heart and hope to die." In other words, this was the sign that if they told, God would strike them dead. Thank God, He didn't strike us because we sure told others; at least I sometimes did. I've also noticed some Christian folks who cross their heart when they finish praying and before eating. Are they giving a sign that they are going to fulfill their vows or that they are ready to eat? Signs. Paul told the church at Corinth, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God"(1 Corinthians 1:18-24). The cross was a sign of the power and wisdom of God, Paul said. Jesus told Nicodemus what sign the cross was when He told him, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15). In the Army, the sign that one belongs to the Medical Corps is their uniform in-signet, the serpent upon the pole. It was a symbol for the healing of the nation. Jesus on the cross was not only for our healing, but for our salvation as well.

Isaiah said, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS" (Matthew 1:18-25). If you want to know who Jesus Christ was, here's your sign. God in flesh (1 Timothy 3:16; John 1:1;14).

Sing: Hail the heaven born Prince of peace, hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen 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.  Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King."