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.

Do Something Good Today!

Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (KJV)

One of the greatest misconceptions about the Christian life is that it is only about what we believe. While faith is certainly where it begins, God never intended for our faith to stay inside the walls of a church building or remain locked away in our hearts. Genuine faith always moves us to action.

Notice the words in this verse: learn, seek, relieve, plead. These are action words. God is calling His people to make a difference in the lives of others. He is reminding us that following Him means caring about what He cares about.

There are hurting people all around us. Some need encouragement. Some need compassion. Some need a helping hand. Some simply need someone to notice them and remind them they matter.

You may not be able to change the whole world today, but you can change someone’s world. A phone call, a prayer, a kind word, a listening ear, or an unexpected act of generosity can become a powerful expression of God’s love.

As you go through your day, ask yourself this question: “Who can I help today?” Then look for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

The world has enough critics. What it needs is more Christians who are willing to do good.

And remember, every act of kindness done in the name of Jesus is never wasted.

More Than Enough!

One of the most comforting truths in all of Scripture is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (KJV)

We all have moments when we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes the burden seems heavier than our strength can carry. We pray for God to remove the problem, fix the situation, or change the circumstance. Yet there are times when God does not immediately take away the struggle. Instead, He reminds us of something even greater—His grace.

Paul prayed three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, but God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

Notice that God did not promise Paul more strength. He promised Paul His strength.

When you reach the end of your ability, you have not reached the end of God’s power. In fact, it is often in our weakest moments that God’s presence becomes most evident. The places where we feel inadequate become opportunities for God to show Himself strong.

If you are carrying a burden today, remember this: God’s grace is enough for today’s challenge. His mercy is enough for today’s struggle. His strength is enough for today’s battle.

You may feel weak, but you are not alone. The God who called you is the God who will carry you.

So lift up your head, take the next step, and trust Him. His grace has brought you this far, and His grace will carry you all the way home.

May you heal from the things no one ever apologized for!

“May you heal from the things no one ever apologized for.”

There are some hurts in life that never receive an explanation. Some wounds never hear the words, “I was wrong.” Some disappointments never get resolved the way we hoped they would.

And if we are not careful, we can spend years waiting on an apology that may never come.

But here is the good news: your healing does not have to depend on someone else’s willingness to admit what they did. God is able to restore a heart even when people never take responsibility for the pain they caused.

As Psalm 147:3 says, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” God specializes in healing the hurts that nobody else can see and restoring the places that others left wounded.

The enemy wants you trapped in bitterness, carrying yesterday’s pain into today’s opportunities. But God offers a better way.

Forgiveness does not mean what happened was right. It means you are trusting God with what you cannot change. It means refusing to allow someone else’s actions to continue controlling your future.

You may never receive the apology you deserve, but through Christ you can receive the healing you need.

Today, release the hurt into God’s hands. Trust His timing, His justice, and His grace. The same God who sees every tear also knows how to redeem every wound.

And when God finishes His work in your heart, what once caused pain can become a testimony of His faithfulness.