All posts by mjharvell

Welcome, friend—I’m glad you’ve pulled up a chair on the front porch of my little corner of the internet. My name is Michael Joe Harvell, and I live my life with one simple mission: to glorify God, encourage people, and leave this world a little better than I found it. I’m a husband, father, pastor, writer, Jeep enthusiast, and front-porch thinker who believes that life is best lived on purpose. I serve as pastor of Eureka Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, where I get the joy of preaching, teaching, and walking with people through the ups and downs of everyday life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that faith isn’t just about Sunday mornings—it’s about living every single day in the presence and power of God. I’m also an author. My books—including The Grace Exchange: How Forgiven People Forgive People and The Word Works—grow out of the sermons, stories, and lessons I’ve learned on this journey. I write in a style that’s conversational, a little front-porch-rocking-chair, and full of stories, quotes, and Scripture that point us back to the goodness of God’s Word. When I’m not writing or preaching, you might find me sitting outside with my Bible and journal, cruising the backroads in my Jeep Gladiator, or sharing a meal and some laughs with the good folks God has put in my life. I love helping people find peace in their spirit, strength in their body, and encouragement in their soul. This blog is simply an extension of that mission. Here you’ll find devotions, encouragement, reflections, and practical insights for living a life of purpose, peace, and joy. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a rocking chair, and stay awhile—I’d be honored to walk this road of faith with you.
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Before You Go Another Day… Watch This and Thank God!

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“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” -1 Chronicles 16:34 (KJV)

Friend, there are some things in life that ought to come naturally. Saying “thank you” is one of them.

We’ve gotten so busy chasing what’s next that we’ve forgotten to appreciate what’s already in front of us.

The Bible tells us, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” Notice it doesn’t say to be thankful only when life is easy. It says to give thanks because God is good. His goodness isn’t determined by our circumstances. His mercy doesn’t come and go with the weather. It endures forever.

If you’ve got breath in your lungs, you’ve got a reason to praise Him. If He’s forgiven your sins, you’ve got a reason to thank Him. If He’s carried you through days you never thought you’d survive, you’ve got a testimony.

Sometimes the richest people aren’t the ones with the biggest bank accounts. They’re the ones who have learned to recognize God’s blessings in the ordinary moments, like a sunrise, a family meal, a church that loves them, and the peace that only Christ can give.

So today, before you rush into tomorrow, stop and thank God. Gratitude has a way of changing your perspective. When you remember how good God has been, you’ll find fresh strength for whatever lies ahead.

Because the Lord is still good… and His mercy still endures forever.

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Why We Need Each Other More Than Ever!

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“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” -Matthew 18:20 (KJV)

Friend, one of the greatest reminders we need today is this: God never intended for us to walk through life alone.

Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” What a wonderful promise! When God’s people come together with hearts focused on Him, His presence is there in a special way.

There is strength in standing together. There is encouragement in praying together. There is hope in worshiping together. Sometimes all it takes is another believer saying, “I’m praying for you,” to remind us that we are not carrying our burdens by ourselves.

The enemy loves isolation because he knows discouraged people are easier to defeat. But God calls us into fellowship, into friendship, and into a family of faith where we can lift one another up.

If you’ve been trying to carry every burden on your own, let today be the day you reach out. Join your church family. Pray with someone. Encourage someone. You may discover that while you are strengthening another person, God is strengthening you as well.

And remember this: every time God’s people gather in the name of Jesus—whether in a sanctuary, around a kitchen table, in a Bible study, or in a hospital room—He keeps His promise. Christ is in the midst.

So don’t walk alone today. Walk with Jesus, and walk with His people. Life is always stronger, richer, and more hopeful when we follow Him together.