welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread reading titled just as I am was written by Patricia Raven
 the young woman couldn't sleep having suffered with a physical disability for many years she'd be center stage at a church Bazaar the next day to raise funds for higher education
 but I'm not worthy Charlotte Elliott recent tossing and turning she doubted her credentials questioning every aspect of her spiritual life
 still Restless the next day she finally moved to a desk to pick up a pen and paper to write down the words of the now classic hymn just as I am
 just as I Am Without One Plea but that thy blood was shed for me and that valve it's me come to the old Lamb of God I come I come
 her words written in 1835 Express how Jesus called his disciples to come and serve him not because they were ready they weren't but because he authorized them just as they were a ragtag group his team of 12 included a tax collector of zealot too overly ambitious brothers and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him still he gave him a 40 to heal the sick raise the dead cleanse those who have leprosy drive out demons without taking any money luggage extra sure to sandals or even a walking stick with him
 I am sending you he said and he was enough
 for each of us who say yes to him he still is
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture readings from Matthew 10:1 verses 5 through 10 and verses 16 through 20
 Jesus called his 12 disciples to him and gave them a 40 to drive out in pure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness
 now picking up at verse five these twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans go rather to the lost sheep of Israel as you go Proclaim this message the Kingdom of Heaven has come near heal the sick raise the dead cleanse those who have leprosy drive out demons freely you have received freely give
 do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or staff for the worker is worth his keep and now her c6220 I am sending you out like sheep Among Wolves therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves be on your guard you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues on my account you will be brought before Governors and Kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles but when they arrest you do not worry about what to say or how to say it at that time you will be given what to say for it will not be you speaking but the spirit of your father speaking to you
 let's pray
 dear Jesus our lord and savior give us courage and help us to rely fully on your grace and power when we didn't call to do difficult things that we fear we aren't qualified for it's in your mighty name that we pray amen
 thanks for listening today my name is Joyce Jenkins in today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries