Baby dedication (2)

Deuteronomy 6:4–7 NKJV

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

1 Samuel 1:25–28 NKJV

25 Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.

Today, Matthew and Miranda have come to take this same vow. They wish to give their daughter to Jesus.

Although, this does not mean they will be leaving Marlowe at the church today, (At least I hope not, I don’t need another mouth to feed) it does mean that they will work in her life to point her towards Christ.

It will not be an easy task. It will have many obstacles and disappointments. However, with God’s help they can fulfill the vow they make today.

VOWS

Both parents to respond (I DO)

Do you today recognize Marlowe as the gift of God and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing?

Do you now dedicate your child to the Lord who gave him to you, surrendering all worldly claims upon his life in the hope that he will belong wholly to God?

Do you pledge as parents that, with God’s fatherly help, you will bring up your child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the Word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into his life?

Do you promise to provide, through God’s blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your son, looking to your own heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve him and not use him?

Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that, by God’s grace, Oliver will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of his sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to him, even eternal life; and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?