Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our Reading titled Just as I Am, was written by Patricia Rabin.

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 reasoned.

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 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 thou bids me

come to thee, O 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 rag-tag group. His team of 12 included a tax collector, a zealot, two overly ambitious brothers,

and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Still, he gave them authority to heal the sick,

raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons, all without taking any money,

luggage, extra shirt or sandals, or even a walking stick with them.

I am sending you, he said, and he was enough.

For each of us who say yes to him, he still is.

Today's ourdeley Bread devotional scripture reading is from Matthew chapter 10, verse 1, verses 5 through 10, and verses 16 through 20.

Jesus called his 12 disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out in pure spirits

and to heal every disease and sickness.

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