Within My Reach

By Erin Francis

Some of the topics covered in this book:

•What do I do while I am waiting on the answer to my prayer?

•How do I pray for unsaved loved ones?

•How do I hear from God?

•How do I keep going when I want to quit?

This book is filled with encouragement for life's toughest challenges. It will strengthen your fa

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erin Francis
• Release date: Feb 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088093108

Book preview

I Shall Be Whole

In the Gospel of Mark is a story of a woman with a constant flow of blood who had decided she had had enough. She was tired of being sick. This battle had raged in her body for 12 years. She was an outcast with no hope. She was broke from spending her money on remedies that did not work.

Desperation can drive you right to faith’s door. You have done all you know to do and the situation grows worse.

This described her situation and she knew it was time for a change.

The book of Mark said that she kept saying to herself that if she could just touch Jesus’ clothing she would be healed. She reached out in faith. Crowds were all around Him with many people touching Him, but she was the only person who touched Him in faith. I believe she was thoroughly surprised that He even noticed that she touched Him. The only reason that He did notice was that He felt power go out of Him.

Mark 5:27-30, 32, 34, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment. For she said, ‘If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.’ And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, ‘Who touched My clothes?’ And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing. And He said unto her, ‘Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.’

The phrase that says that virtue had gone out of Him is better understood like this: healing power flowed out of Him right into her. He held in His body health. According to Mark, Jesus never laid hands on her. The only exchange between them was her touch of His cloak in faith and His words of love back to her.

This story helps one understand how healing works. Jesus is healing. Healing is one of the things God wanted Jesus to demonstrate on this earth. Faith in Him is required to be well. You do not need to ask God if it is His will to heal you. God’s will is for you to be well.

Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.

Deuteronomy 7:9, Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.

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I Want To See Jesus

Jesus’ love for us is so great that we cannot fully understand it. How could anyone die for me even before I was born? He loved us with God’s supernatural love. That made Him the perfect sacrifice.

1 Peter 2:24, Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

He was beaten severely for us. The kind of whip that was used on His back had shards of bone on the ends. Jesus endured 39 hard hits with a whip. After that He was sentenced to die by crucifixion. He was literally dying on the way to be crucified. He was bleeding profusely from open, gaping wounds that had not been cleaned. The soldiers had mocked Him, spit on Him, pulled out portions of His beard, and beat Him on the head with sticks. However, on the cross, He asked God to forgive them because they did not understand what they were doing.

How? How can we understand that depth of love? His thoroughly, completely selfless sacrifice is beyond human reasoning. I have found myself many times pondering that degree of love. I can only accept it by faith. There are no works I could ever do to deserve it. We were not meant to earn it. We cannot.

When we get to heaven, we will see Jesus face to face. I long to look deeply into those eyes of love. I long to bow before the King of all kings and worship Him.

Abraham felt like he was an alien on this earth. He longed for a city that was built by God. He lived a long, prosperous, healthy life. He was a son, a father, a grandfather and the father of many nations. He owned cattle and sheep; he had servants, workers, and an army. He is a good example of living the natural life, yet keeping his eyes on heaven. He saw the promise of Jesus. He kept his eye on the prize of the upward call of God. The promise of God was never more than a thought away even while he was busy with his life. Just like Abraham, let us keep the desire alive in our hearts to see Jesus and to thank Him for all He has done for us.

Hebrews 11:13, These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

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In A Moment

I know many people who are not living for God but know they should. There are those who were raised a Christian but for various reasons they choose not to live for Him as adults. Instead of living a rich life with Jesus they choose to live a pauper’s life outside on the palace steps.

They may be fine financially but they are not rich in the areas that matter. Without Jesus you are empty, poor, and never satisfied.

I heard one story of someone that tenses while driving every time they are in a close call with another car. They have it all planned out what to say in that moment if they should die. Just so to make it into Heaven. As if God does not realize this thinking.

Why live your life on the edge? Hell is real. Eternity is real. Jesus is real. He really died for the lost. Why disregard the treasure of heaven, the jewel of God for the passing pleasures of sin? It is not worth the chance that eternity could wrap its strong hands around you and you were not ready. In a moment, in a split second your life could be demanded of you. Are you ready? Where will you spend eternity?

Pray this prayer with me, Dear Jesus, come into my heart. Please forgive me of my sin. I know God raised you from the dead and you are the Son of God. Thank you for accepting me just as I am. In Jesus name, Amen.

Romans 10:9, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

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Simple Questions And Answers

Why is going to church important? The Bible says to go to church so that you are with other believers who are worshiping God. You will learn the Word of God under a pastor who encourages your faith. You will make friendships there that will change your life and keep you accountable. It is important to make church a priority for you and your family. Hebrews 10:25

Why do churches receive an offering? God instructs us in His word to give tithes and offerings to Him. When you give through the church, you are giving to Him. The tithe is the first 10% of your income. Offerings are the sums that are given beyond the 10%. The Bible says we are robbing God if we do not bring our tithes and offerings. He will bless our finances when we do. Malachi 3:8-11

Why do we pray over our meals? In Matthew 14:19, Jesus blessed the food that the disciples had brought to Him. The food was obviously not enough for the crowd of 5,000 that was waiting to be fed. However, Jesus is always in the miracle business even if it is to just fill a stomach for one meal.

Jesus raised His eyes toward heaven and blessed the food. We pray to thank God for His provision and we pray to ask that He would protect us from anything harmful in it.

1 Timothy 4:4-5

Why should we pray in Jesus name? Jesus told us to pray in His name. John 14:13-14, And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Where do I begin if I want to read the Bible? I recommend that you start in the Gospel of John, the fourth book in the New Testament. John, a disciple of Jesus, wrote this Gospel. He traveled with Jesus and saw His miracles in person. John’s book is meant to inform the reader that Jesus is the Son of God and to inspire us to have faith in Him.

What is Communion? Jesus ate the Last Supper with His disciples and took Communion with them explaining that they were to do it often and in remembrance of Him. Communion is taking a piece of bread or cracker and drinking from a cup signifying that we believe in the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are to take Communion in a holy, reverent, and truly repentant state of heart. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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The Forgiven Sons

A Created Story

Late one night there was a man sitting by the fire in his old trusty rocking chair. He