Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God,

A Momma tomato, Daddy tomato, and a Baby tomato were walking down the street. Baby tomato began to fall behind. Momma called to him and said, “Come on.” Baby tomato ran up to them, but then fell behind again.  Momma tomato turned and called to him and said, “Come on!” Baby tomato ran up to them. It wasn’t long, and Baby tomato fell behind again. This time, Daddy tomato was irritated, went back to Baby tomato, stepped on him, and yelled, “Catch up!!”

How often must you call to your children and tell them to “come”? Sometimes they listen, and sometimes they are distracted and don’t hear you calling them to come. How often has the Lord called you to come? Do you get distracted and not pay attention to the Lord?

In Isaiah, the Lord is calling to the thirsty to come to the waters. He tells those who have no money to come and buy wine and milk without money and without cost. He asks why spend money on what is not bread and why labor on what does not satisfy (Isaiah 55:1-2).

When one is thirsty, they have a desire for something that brings satisfaction, but what can bring satisfaction to the spirit? In this verse, the water is a metaphor for the enjoyment of salvation in the Lord. The wine and milk are symbols of complete satisfaction. The Lord says that there is no need for money to buy these things because salvation is free.

In Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles, which was sent to Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord says, “call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:12). The Lord called the Israelites to come and seek Him, and He will save them.

Matthew writes the words of Jesus, who says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

 (Matthew 11:28). We can find restoration and rest in Christ. Jesus calls us to come to him when we are weak and burdened by life’s struggles.

Matthew also records the call to serve when Jesus says, “Come, follow me and I will send you out to fish for people.”

 (Matthew 4:19). Jesus begins his ministry by calling the few who choose to follow him so they may learn what Jesus teaches. Then he sends them out so they may teach others, who will also be sent out to spread the Gospel around the world.

We are called to come and pray. We are called to come when we are weary. We are called to come so we may serve. We are called so that we may call others, the thirsty, to come and receive the free water, the free wine and milk, the free salvation.

In case you missed the theme of this week’s encouraging letter, the word for the week is “come”. I want to encourage you to pray that God will lay on your heart someone whom you can invite to come to church. Not just this week, but for the entire month of July, may we seek the Lord for those whom He desires us to invite. May they come and find the freedom of salvation.

Last week, the little lambs investigated the truth behind Cain and Abel and what led to the murder of poor Abel. This week, the lambs will put on their detective hats and use their magnifying glass to focus on Noah’s ark and the great flood.

I look forward to worshipping with you all tomorrow as we praise the Creator of all things with songs of joy and dancing before Him like David. If for whatever reason I do not see you tomorrow, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and patience, and may He comfort you, strengthen you, and guide you.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)