Jesus said, first clean the inside of the cup.

Matthew chapter 23, verse 26.

Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread.

Our reading, Deep Clean, was written by Patricia Rabon and read by Joyce Dinkins.

Matthew chapter 23, 23 through 26.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You give a tenth of your spices, mint, dill, and cumin.

But you have neglected the more important matters of the law,

justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

You blind guides.

You strain out a gnat, but swallow a camel.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You clean the outside of the cup and dish.

But inside, they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Blind Pharisee.

First clean the inside of the cup and dish,

and then the outside also will be clean.

Deep Clean, written by Patricia Raybon.

On a frigid November day, our church hoped to fill 200 backpacks for the homeless.

Preparing to help fill them, I sorted through the items donated, praying to find new gloves, hats, socks, blankets.

Bowls of chili and sandwiches would also be shared with those who were to receive the gifts.

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