Baby Steps

1. Big Picture and Baby Crib

One night a wife found her husband standing over their infant’s crib. As she watched him looking down at their very first baby, she saw on his face a mixture of emotions: disbelief, doubt, delight, amazement, enchantment, skepticism. Touched by this unusual display and deep emotions, with eyes glistening she slipped her arm around her husband. "A penny for your thoughts," she said. "It’s amazing" he replied. "I just can’t see how anybody can make a crib like that for only $46.50." What’s that saying? Some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Sometimes when you concentrate on the details of a problem, you lose sight of the overall picture; in other words you focus on the unimportant, rather than on the important things. You miss the big picture.

2. Babies change our lives; bringing that newborn into your home changes everything; nothing will remain the same

a. Joy and Love for an unknown person

b. Responsibility

3. Some key babies in the bible made a great impact and were presented to God and dedicated to him – Isaiah 9.6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

4. Baby Dedication

Every church should rejoice in life’s mile markers, starting with birth, as we dedicate our children to the Lord. This is a biblical practice. In the Old Testament, Hannah brought her boy, Samuel, to the temple. There she dedicated him to the Lord, saying, “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition… I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:27-28).

In the New Testament, Joseph and Mary did the same. In Luke 2:22-32, they brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem to consecrate Him to the Lord.

When our Lord grew up and began His ministry, He was eager to bless the youngsters brought to Him. People even brought their infants and newborns to Jesus. “And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16).

When we bring our children before the Lord in church and dedicate them to Him, we’re doing the same. It’s an important celebration, for how greatly our children need Jesus, even from birth!

The dedication of a child to Christ serves as a wonderful moment for a gathered church. The baby is formally introduced to the congregation, and the whole church joins in prayer for that child. Robert J. Morgan, in his booklet Dedicating Your Children to Christ

5. Consider some of these bible babies and the steps God took to ensure their success in doing his will

Top 10 2015 Baby Names

Rank Male Name Female Name

1 Noah Emma

2 Liam Olivia

3 Mason Sophia

4 Jacob Ava

5 William Isabella

6 Ethan Mia

7 James Abigail

8 Alexander Emily

9 Michael Charlotte

10 Benjamin Harper

• Isaac

“Laughter”

Child of Promise

• Moses

Child to Deliver

Trusting God

• Samuel

“Heard of God”

Skill of Prayer

• John

“LORD is Gracious Giver”

Psalm 86.15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

A matter of dedication

• Jesus

“LORD is Salvation” from “Joshua”

Matthew 1.21 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

• You and Me – New Birth

John 3.5 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

1. God’s hand was in the births of these babies – He turned the impossible into the possible.

2. He does that with us.

3. He gives us assurance

4. Connecting with Love/Neonatal ICU Nurse

A nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit once told what is essential for the lives of her scrawny infants, with IVs, monitors and tubes hooked up to their bodies. She advises fathers and mothers and grandparents - whoever can be a constant visitor: "For the next several weeks you are to come and visit every day. And when you come I want you to rub the baby’s arms and legs, head and stomach, with the tip of your finger. Use your hands. And as you touch, say over and over ‘I love you’, because the baby has to connect your voice with your touch. It will give strength and determination to live, because the baby will know, ‘I am loved’".