Dear Brothers and Sisters,

    Good morning everyone. I pray your day is full of hope and there is a song playing on your heart. After the last couple of days, grieving over dear ones passing, I am awake with a song of praise to the Lord.

    God is good and has plans for us that exceed even our deepest longings as we invite Him to move in our lives. Colossians 1:13 says, "[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love."

    This confirms the promise that the valley of the shadow of death will pass. The Shepherd is always leading and protecting us. Are you grateful for this?

    We also have Jesus promise in John 14:1-3 which says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me."

    So important that we understand this! If it wasn't it wouldn't be repeated. Don't let the expression and passion elude you.

    "In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also."

    Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Jesus is a promise keeper! He will never lie, cannot lie. Will you trust Him today? Call on His name while there is time. No matter what your circumstances, He is there for you.

       "There's a land that is fairer than day, And by faith we can see it afar; For the Father waits over the way, To prepare us a dwelling place there. In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore. In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore."

    This wonderful song was written in 1868 by a pharmacist named Sanford Fillmore Bennett, 31, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. His friend Joseph Webster came into the apothecary suffering in another period of depression.

    On this particular day, Joseph was unusually blue and his face was long. Sanford asked, "What is the matter now?"

    "It's no matter," Joseph replied, "it will be all right by and by."

    An idea for a hymn hit Sanford like a flash of sunlight. Sitting at his desk he wrote as fast as the words came, almost instantly. No attempt to help his waiting customers was made to assist them. He was too absorbed in his poem. Finally Sanford rose from writing, handing a piece of paper to his friend.

    "Here is your prescription, he said, "I hope it works."

    Instantly a tune suggested itself, and Joseph jotted down some notes. Picking up his fiddle, he played his melody over a time or two, then said to the others, "We four make a good male quartet. Let's try the new song and see how it sounds."

    Isn't this a great story? And, it is true! How do you feel now, seeing the words? The perfect RX for any of us is to look to our future, the one prepared for us. Depression has to flee!

    For over a hundred years we've been singing an immortal hymn that was written in less than thirty minutes in a drugstore.

    What do you suppose God wants to give you today? He is able to give you a new song! Psalm 33:3. You don't have to have a degree in music to let the Lord create a new song in your heart. He is worthy of our simple praise.

    Well, thank you again for gathering with me here at Heartstrings. A place for making a joyful sound. A place to find healing for what ails you. Give glory to God in this day. It is our opportunity, right now. God bless and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace. In the matchless name of our soon coming King, amen!

Abundance is...a prescription to sing