Michael Joe Harvell

My Grace!

I Am Blessed! I just wanted to take a moment to share with you one of my extra special blessings!  I am blessed with a wonderful family.  Any of you that know me, know how important my three girls are to me.  Joy – my Bride, Grace and Hope – my Princesses!  God has taught me so much though these relationships and has brought me more blessings than I can count.

Bed Time! Sunday night when I was getting ready to go to bed, Joy and I were having one of those conversations where we rehash the day and she told me a couple of things about my daughter Gracie that really worked on me in a good way.

Sunday Morning! Earlier in the day I had preached a message called “Crazy In Love!” which focused on the crazy and amazing love that God loves us with.  I had explained to the congregation that the Holy Spirit had started showing me some things about my relationship with God that I had never really considered and believed these things could challenge and change all of our lives.

Good Is The Enemy Of Great! I have always thought that I had a pretty good relationship with God, but then one day while reading the “Crazy Love!” book by Francis Chan, I heard a song by Beyonce called “Crazy In Love!” and as I listened to the lyrics, she was explaining this intense love that she had that was driving her crazy in a good way.  I could not help, but to think about how love can make you do some crazy things and I started to think about the crazy love that God has for me and how I could and should have a crazy love back toward Him.

On The Front Row! My daughter listened to me explain this on Sunday morning during our worship time and she watched the video where Francis Chan goes into even greater detail.  (The video can be found here:  http://juststopandthink.com/)  When I finished the message and invitation, I explained that we had copies of Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love!”  book in the back for purchase if anyone would like their own copy.

Take An Envelope! There was one other thing that I challenged our church to do on this day.  I challenged them to take an envelope from the back and bring back a love gift to God for His Church the next week, because we had missed the week before due to snow and ice and the budget was tight!

My Blessing! What my daughter did that was so amazing to me – is she listened and obeyed!  She listened to her Dad the pastor and did what he was asking/telling her to do.  She believes in God and she believes in me!  My nine year old daughter went to the back of the church and bought a book – I still don’t know where she got the money!  And she went and got an envelope to bring a love gift back to God!

On Her Own! She did not ask anybody.  She just did it!  And as I lay in bed Sunday night thinking about her faithfulness to God and submission to me as her Pastor, it was a very humbling and moving experience for me.  When I asked her about it later she said:  ”It just made sense and sounded like something that I would be interested in!”

My Lesson! She listened to her Dad, she trusted her Dad and she followed her Dad’s lead.  God has given us leaders to help us to get to a very special place in our relationship with Him and I am thankful to my daughter for reminding me that I am one of those leaders!  It may not mean much to you, but it means more than words can say to me!  It is so amazing to think about where God would take us, if we would just innocently and trustingly follow the lead He provides!

God Wants To Help!

Working For The Weekend!  We are over the hump and headed into the weekend!  I hope that you are taking advantage of a blessed week.  God blesses all of our weeks, it is just up to us to decide if we will accept and take advantage of the blessings or not.  Here is a few thoughts that the Holy Spirit shared with me this morning that I hope will help you on your journey!

Powerful Prayers! I love prayers in the Bible.  I love to read what other people are saying to God.  I especially love to hear what King David had to say to God, because King David was one of those real, messed up, but in love with God kinda guys.  Listen to the words of this prayer that he lifted up to God: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer! Psalms 19

Words Are Powerful! Speaking produces reality!  When we open our mouths and words flow out, these words have the power and the ability to change the direction of our lives.  We need to be careful what we think and even more careful about what we say.  I think that this was one of the reasons why David prayed this prayer.  I want my words to be pleasing to my God, so I need His help and it is not wrong to ask for it.  God help me to speak your words, so that Your will can be my reality!

Your Heart’s Desire! What do you have your heart set on?  What is it that occupies your thoughts?  What do you spend most of your time doing?  The meditation and thoughts of your heart will guide the direction of your living and will produce the reality of your life.  Get the meditation and thought right and get your living and life right!  Again, I need God’s help with this.  I can not do it on my own.  God help me to meditate and think about the things that help me to be pleasing to you and a blessing to others!

God is your ROCK and REDEEMER! Build your life upon Him by thinking the right thoughts and saying the right words and you will be glad you did!

One Of My Favorites!

Here is a very amazing thought for us to chew on! “God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness!” Genesis 1:26  Stop for just a moment and realize that this is talking about you and me!  We are made in the image and likeness of God.  This should challenge us to look at ourselves and others differently.  And when I say differently – I mean in a good and positive way!

God Said It! “God said!” For people to be made in His image was His idea!  God desires for us to take on His nature and character as seen in His Son Jesus.  We should seek to be transformed into His image and likeness, because it is in this place that we will find fulfillment by living in the purpose of our creation.

Only The Best! “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.” God created us from nothing into something.  And not just any something – the something was in His image and likeness.  We may not always live up to our created potential, but the potential is always there, just waiting for us to tap into and experience the miraculous!

I remember as a young boy growing up in church that one of our sunday school rooms had a poster of a little boy with the following words above his head:  ”I am special because God made me and God don’t make no junk!”  The grammar may not have been great, but the message was and is powerful.  You are special!  God made you and if He took the time to make you in His image, then you know He has to have an amazing plan for your life!

Take some time today to appreciate who God created you to be.  Also take a little time to appreciate who God created others to be.  You’ll be glad you did!

Power In Agreement!

Wake Up! I woke up this morning with this Scripture in my heart and on my lips!  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from your presence And do not take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10-12

Powerful Prayer! What a powerful prayer for us to pray!  I challenge each of us to pray this prayer and mean it!  Just think of what could happen to and through your life, if you would take the time to pray this prayer with the expectation that God will be faithful to respond.

Create in me a clean heart, O God! God has to do it, because we cannot do it for ourselves.  If we are going to have a clean heart, it is because God comes into our lives and does for us – what we could never ever do for ourselves.  God wants to forgive and cleanse us, so that there is absolutely nothing that gets in between us and Him.  He does not forgive and cleanse us because we deserve it.  He forgives and cleanses us because He loves us and because we ask!

Renew A Right Spirit Within Me! We cannot have a right spirit, until we have a clean heart.  When God cleanses our heart, the next step is a right spirit.  When our heart is clean, we can expect God to renew a right spirit and a right spirit changes everything!

Do not cast me away from Your presence! I have no desire to step away from God and His protecting and blessing presence.  I need Him to deal with my sin, so that I don’t have to be chased away by His holiness.

Do not take your Holy Spirit from me! I have tried to do life by myself and have made the discovery that I can’t!  I need God’s breath of life breathing in and through my life.  I don’t even want to think about having to do life without His Holy Spirit breathing through me!

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation! I don’t deserve to be saved and in a right relationship with God, but I am thankful that He loved me with such an awesome love.  A love that motivated Him to send His only son Jesus to do for me what I could never do for myself.  Through my belief and acceptance of Jesus I am free to live in the power of a right relationship with my Creator and Sustainer and I have the joy of His salvation flowing to and through me!

Take some time to pray this prayer and let its power change your life!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from your presence And do not take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and renew a right spirit within me.“

Listening!

How Much? How much does it take for your life to make a positive difference in this world?  I was sitting in the waiting room of the hospital this morning and one of the things that I love to do is watch other people.  When I watch other people, I wonder what’s going on in their lives?  I can’t help but to want to know their story.

Conversation! This usually leads to me striking up a conversation, which almost always leads to the other person being very willing to talk about themselves and what they are facing.  I have found that just by listening and asking questions that often very nervous people will become relaxed and extremely friendly.

Praying! I end almost ever conversation with the promise to pray for the person and their situation, which almost always leads to thanks and a real look of peace on their face.  By the way, I am usually there to minister to someone else – this is just icing on the cake!

Ride Time! I had one of these experiences this morning while I was visiting the hospital.  While I was waiting with the family in the waiting room, I noticed a young lady there by herself who seem to have a good bit on her mind.  I struck up a conversation and in the end was able to be a blessing and receive a blessing.  On the way back to the office today, I could not help but think about how such a simple thing can make a significant and meaningful impact.  People in our world need to know that other people care and one of the best ways that we can show that we care is by taking time with and for others.

A Little Bit More! We really do not have to give a lot of ourselves to make a very big difference!  I challenge you and I challenge myself to give a little bit more.  If just a little bit - makes a difference, then just think about the difference that a little bit more will make!

Jesus Gave The Example! And by the way – isn’t this exactly what Jesus has done and is doing for us?  Think about it and look for an opportunity to give a little bit more of whatever you’ve got today!

From God's Hand!

God’s Gift! When I came to Northwood, God gave me a bold vision and a very big dream.  I have seen some parts of the vision accomplished and a little bit of the dream grow into reality.  I have thought and prayed a lot in recent days about why God would put something in my head and heart and then not allow it to become reality.  And have realized that it is not God that has gotten in the way, it is man – sometimes myself and sometimes others!

My Concern! I don’t have any doubt about what God showed me over ten years ago about His plans and future for a church called Northwood.  But I do have some concerns about some of the people, who tell you to your face that they believe, support and are willing to do “whatever it takes” and then end up going behind your back with a totally self-serving message.  Come on people (church people everywhere) don’t you realize that we are all in this thing for God’s glory!  It is so much bigger than our personal preference and agenda!

With God All Things Are Possible! God is great at giving big visions and dreams to His leaders, and a lot of church people are great at killing those big visions and dreams.  It seems that today, there are a lot more people shouting the reasons why it can’t be done, than there are people shouting that with God all things are possible.

Reality! Let’s face reality:  Most people are selfish and the number one reason that most people who don’t support the “Big Dream” of God, will not support the “Big Dream” of God is because they are afraid that the dream will require them to step out of their comfort zone.  It is hard, almost impossible to start a fire with wet wood!

On The Lookout! I am at a place in my life and spiritual journey, where I am looking for some men, women, boys and girls, who will encourage me to dream the “Big Dreams” of God.  I am looking for some people who will say:  ”We can and we will!”

My name is Michael Joe Harvell and God has given me a dream.  A dream for His Church to really matter and make a difference – today and for all eternity.

My prayer is that God will put me with other big dreamers or bring big dreamers to me, so that together we can give God the glory that He deserves!

I just had to get that out – now I feel much better!  Thanks for reading!

You Think You've Got Troubles?

We All Got Troubles! Everyone has a battles and struggles in life.  If you don’t, then you are most likely not living.  Don’t let the battles and struggles get you down, instead let them build you up and grow you into what God desires for you.

A Word From The Word! “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20

Spiritual Growth! I have for the biggest part of my life been very serious about taking care of my spiritual body by making sure that I have daily taken time to feed on the Word and by taking time to have nourishing conversation by listening to and talking with my God.  Spiritual discipline is a priority and I know that there are great benefits.  Spiritual discipline comes easier for me because of the benefits that I know and trust that they will give.

Physical Fight! Physical discipline has never been easy for me.  It is a huge battle to make myself eat the right things.  And keeping myself committed to any exercise program is really a challenge.  I know that there is value, but I value the comfort of the food and relaxation over the discipline and work, and so I tend to let my self slip in the physical department.

God’s Dealing! A few months ago, God really began to deal with me in the area of physical discipline.  He helped me to see that I was overweight and out of shape.  I know most of you think I carry it well and so did I, but God really got a hold of me.  I have always been blessed with very good health, but God helped me to see that I was taking advantage of this very precious gift, so I set out on a journey to do something about it.

Holiday Diet! Right before Christmas hit, I changed my eating habits and amped up my exercise.  And over the holidays, I actually lost 15 pounds.  I have at least 40 more pounds to go.  I am sharing this with you, because we all have our battles and struggles.  I don’t know what your battle is, but I know that you have one.  I also know that God is talking to you about it.  The question is:  ARE YOU LISTENING?

Victory! Whatever your battle or struggle – know this:  GOD WANTS YOU TO BE VICTORIOUS!  When you are victorious, it brings God glory and everyone blessing.  So take some time to listen for God’s voice and then make sure that you are obeying by doing your part!  You are His temple and you matter.  Here is an amazing truth:  God wants us to get it right.  God wants us to live in blessing.  God is not against you!  God is for you and don’t you forget it!  Enjoy your victory!

Amazing Relationship!

Amazing! It is amazing to me that God would love me!  I have to admit that there have been many times in my life when I have taken His love for granted.  A couple of weeks ago, I was sharing with a friend about the love of God and I took a few minutes to walk with them down what we church folks like to call the “Romans Road”.  And so I thought I would walk down that road today, so that we can all get a good reminder of God’s awesome love for us!

Everyone Is A Sinner! Romans 3:23  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are all sinners!  Everyone of us, no matter how good we think we are – have done things that we should not do and failed to do things that we should.  These things are sin that get in the way of our having a relationship with our Holy and Perfect Creator God!

We Deserve Punishment! Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is everlasting life in Christ Jesus my Lord.” Because of our sin, we deserve death.  We deserve to be separated from God and His blessing forever and for always.  But God offers us a gift – everlasting life and the blessing of living in relationship with Him and His blessings.  God offers us the gift.  He does not force us to take it.  It is up to us!

God’s Great Love! Romans 5:8  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Out of His great love for us – God gave us the most precious gift that could ever be given.  God did not wait for us to become perfect, but while we were still sinners – He sacrificed His Son for us.  Jesus came to do for us, what we could not do for ourselves!

Believe And Confess! Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This is how we receive the gift of Jesus and enter into relationship with God.  We believe in our heart that God did this for us and that Jesus paid the price that we could not pay.  If we believe it in our hearts, then we will confess it with our mouths and the actions and reactions of our lives!

Amazing Love! John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” What an amazing love and what an amazing gift.  May we all live in the power of right relationship with our Creator and Sustainer God!  And if I can help you in any way to grow in this relationship, then please feel free to call on me!