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 Leave the House, Put This On!

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” -Colossians 3:12 (KJV)

Friend, every morning you make a decision about what you’re going to wear. But before you step into the day, God invites you to put on something far more important than a shirt, a jacket, or a pair of shoes. He calls you to clothe yourself with the character of Christ.

Paul reminds us that we are God’s chosen people, holy and beloved. Notice that he doesn’t tell us to earn God’s love. He reminds us that we already have it. Because we belong to Christ, we can live differently.

Put on mercy when someone disappoints you. Put on kindness when the world seems harsh. Put on humility when pride tries to take over. Put on meekness when anger rises. Put on patience when life doesn’t move at your pace.

These aren’t qualities we manufacture by sheer determination. They are the fruit of a heart that stays close to Jesus. The more time we spend with Him, the more we begin to reflect Him.

So as you go through today, ask yourself, “What am I wearing?” May the people around you see compassion instead of criticism, grace instead of bitterness, and the love of Christ shining through every conversation and every choice you make.

You may never know whose life will be changed simply because you chose to wear the character of Christ today.

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Jesus Is Still Knocking… Will You Answer?

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” -Revelation 3:20 (KJV)

Friend, one of the most amazing pictures in all of Scripture is not of Jesus with a clenched fist demanding to be let in. It is of Jesus standing at a door, patiently knocking.

That door is the door of your heart.

Maybe you’ve been so busy with life that you’ve pushed Him into the background. Maybe disappointment, worry, or sin has caused you to close the door. Yet the wonderful truth is this: Jesus has not walked away. He is still knocking.

Notice that He doesn’t force His way in. Love never does. He invites. He calls. He waits for you to respond.

What a Savior! He knows every failure, every regret, every hidden struggle, and still He desires fellowship with you. He isn’t looking for a perfect house before He enters. He simply wants an open door.

If you’ve drifted from Him, today is a wonderful day to come home. If you’ve never trusted Him as your Savior, today is the day to answer His invitation. And if you’ve been walking with Him for years, don’t let the busyness of life drown out His voice.

Open the door. Spend time with Him in His Word. Talk with Him in prayer. You’ll discover that the greatest joy in life is not found in what this world can offer, but in walking closely with the One who loved you enough to knock in the first place.

May the gentle knock of Christ remind you today that His invitation is still open, His grace is still sufficient, and His fellowship is still the greatest blessing you can know.