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.

You Are Worth It!

John 3:16—if you’ve been around church folks long enough, you’ve heard it a thousand times. But don’t let the familiarity fool you—this verse is the heartbeat of the Gospel, the very essence of what it means to be loved beyond measure.

“For God so loved the world…” That means you. That means me. That means the best of us and the worst of us. It means the folks we get along with and the ones who drive us up the wall. God didn’t just love a select few—He loved the whole, wide world, and He proved it by giving His very best.

He sent His Son, Jesus, to bridge the gap, to make a way where we had none. And all He asks in return? That we believe. Not that we be perfect. Not that we have all the answers. Just that we trust in the One who gave everything for us.

And what do we get? Eternal life. Not just someday, way off in the clouds, but life right here, right now—abundant, free, overflowing with grace.

So don’t just let John 3:16 be words on a page. Let it be the truth that carries you through today. You are loved. You are seen. And you are worth dying for. Now go live like it!

The Chase!

Philippians 4:9 – “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

One of the greatest lessons in life is that knowing isn’t the same as doing. We can hear a thousand sermons, read a hundred devotionals, and underline all the right verses in our Bibles—but if we don’t put it into practice, it’s just words on a page.

Paul reminds us that faith isn’t just something we think about; it’s something we live. He’s saying, “Look, you’ve seen how I follow Jesus. You’ve heard the truth. Now go do it.” Because when we take what we’ve learned and actually live it, that’s when peace shows up. Not the kind the world gives, but the kind that holds you steady when life is shaky.

So today, let’s not just be hearers of the Word—let’s be doers. Let’s love a little deeper, forgive a little quicker, and trust God a little more. When we do, we’ll find that peace isn’t something we chase—it’s something that finds us right where we are.

Step By Step!

Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Life is a journey, and every journey has a rhythm. Some folks walk through life like they’re in a hurry to get nowhere, rushing ahead and missing the beauty around them. Others lag behind, too distracted or discouraged to move forward. But Paul reminds us that if we truly live by the Spirit, we ought to keep in step with Him—walking at His pace, listening to His guidance, and trusting His direction.

Keeping in step with the Spirit means we don’t run ahead trying to do things in our own strength, and we don’t drag our feet when God calls us forward. We walk with Him, side by side, trusting that He knows the way better than we do. Some days, that means taking bold steps of faith. Other days, it means slowing down and waiting. Either way, when we match our steps to His, we find peace, purpose, and power for the journey.

So today, take a deep breath, listen for His voice, and walk in rhythm with the Spirit. You’re not alone on this journey—He’s leading the way.