Gleanings

By Joan Poggi Alessandria

The author, Joan Poggi Alessandria, a devout Christian, decided to collect and preserve one-line expressions for more than fifty years. She felt the story of Ruth was a classic example of love and joy. Ruth was widowed early in her marriage and decided to stay with her mother-in-law, contrary to the custom of returning to her original home. The time for harvesting was at hand and since she was living with her mother-in-law, Ruth decided to glean grain during harvest time. She asked permission to follow behind the harvesters to glean (pick up) grain that fell on the ground. They gladly gave permission and added to her basket. This story exhibits the love and caring Ruth experienced when she married into her new home. Her lineage led to David, who became Israel's king. The story of Ruth is a good example of love, devotion, and kindness that filled Joan's life. Read the single line expressions and find peace, love, and humor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098022785

Book preview

The Truth Is

In the beginning, God created man with a spirit, soul, and body. The Garden of Eden was his dominion. He was to tend and protect it along with the mate God gave him.

What happened was Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God. Their spirits died, and their personal relationship with a holy God ended. He covered their nakedness with animal skin. This was the first shedding of blood on earth. Both were cast out of Eden into the world outside the garden. They left having a sin nature that was passed on to mankind at birth. We are born as sinners with dead spirits.

Life went on.

Adam and Eve had children other than Cain and Abel. They were fruitful in populating the earth. The people sacrificed animals to please God. The blood was offered up to cover their sins. Eventually God made a blood covenant with Abraham. All males were to be circumcised as a sign of commitment.

The problem was Adam (man) chose to sin. He lost all that God had created for him to rule over. Satan who tempted Adam and Eve was now the ruler of the world’s system.

The remedy was that a man was needed to restore all that was lost because of Adam’s original sin. There had to be shedding of pure blood. It had to cleanse not just cover that sin and the sins of the flesh thereafter. This man was to be the only perfect and final sacrifice. He had to be without sin and willing to shed his blood for mankind’s sins.

The dilemma was that no man on earth could even come close to do this. The answer came from heaven. The Father (God) will send Jesus (God the Son) to earth through (God) the Holy Spirit. He came as the baby of Mary and Joseph to do the will of His Father. Jesus did not come to condemn the people but to save them. God doesn’t want any to perish but to have eternal life with Him.

The truth is that, believe it or not, there is only one way to be cleansed of original sin and the transgressions of our sinful nature. When your body dies, your spirit and soul will continue to live in some form, somewhere, forever. There is a heaven and a hell. There is no purgatory or other place to get cleansed of sin and get to heaven. If you don’t believe in life after death, you are in for an eternal revelation. If you do believe, seek and find out how to get to heaven and have eternal life. What you will learn, have to accept, and believe is that there is nothing you can do by works to earn heaven. Only Jesus and the Holy Spirit can do things for you.

Jesus said, You must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Remember you are a spirit with a soul that lives in a body. The soul is your will and emotions. What needs to be born again (alive unto God) to receive from Him and have spiritual discernment is your spirit.

If your choice is heaven, you must believe in your mind first and then your heart that Jesus is God the Son and came to earth to shed His blood for your sins. He was resurrected from the dead by the Holy Spirit and in heaven once again.

Then you ask Jesus to forgive and cleanse you of sin and be your Savior and Lord. At that moment, you are a new creature in Christ., have the Holy Spirit living in you, are covered in righteousness before God, have eternal life, and can be used by God for good works as Jesus did.

Make the time and read your Bible to know the truth that will set you free from Satan’s agenda for this world. Never forget that you were born again through your faith by God’s grace, not prideful works. Pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you. Forgive, love,