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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Undeserved Love!

“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.  Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me,  Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so!”

“Jesus Loves Me” is so much more than just a sweet children’s song.  It is a reality of eternity and it needs to be more than just a concept that we have been taught.  Most of us believe it, but I often wonder, if we have really allowed ourselves to experience it?  What I mean is:  It’s in our heads, but is it really in our hearts?  And if it is in our hearts, shouldn’t that change things?

The truth is that it is hard to understand God’s love.  I mean it really is pretty amazing that God can love someone like you and me, with all of our faults and failures.  But He does love us and with the most amazing and incredible love that we could ever be loved with.  I was watching the movie “October Baby” last week and there is a scene where the daughter is moving into college and as she is walking off from her Dad, she turns and goes running back into his arms and says:  “Thank you for wanting me!”  That line grabbed me and would not let go, because isn’t that really what we all want – to be wanted?

My understanding of love has grown and is growing.  In no way am I an expert or guru, but when I became a Dad, I gained a whole new understanding and insight into love.  Becoming a Dad, allowed love to take on a whole new meaning for me.  Matthew 7:9-12 puts it this way:  9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

I believe that a very big part of love is trust.  When you realize that your Creator really loves you and wants what is best for you, then it is easier to trust Him.  When you trust someone, you believe they will do what is best on your behalf, even without you there to guide or direct them.  When you trust someone, really trust them, you want to spend time with them.  Time with your Creator is not a “have to”, it’s a “get to!”  Matthew 22:36-38 teaches us about what is really important:  36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

God’s love for you and me is amazing!  The fact that He “wants” us, still blows me away and challenges me to ask myself some hard questions.  Questions like:  Do you want more of God?  Because if you really want more of God, then you can have more of God, but you have to be willing to do your part.

Recovery programs often begin with accepting of reality and being honest about our challenges.  So let me start by saying:  “Hello, my name is Michael Joe and I am a sinner saved by Grace!”  I have learned the truth of Isaiah 64:6 which teaches that my righteous works are as filthy rags, next to the righteous perfection of my Almighty Creator and King.  

He does not have to love me, I do not deserved to be loved by Him and I cannot even on my best day do anything to earn His love, but He does love me and I need Him and His love, if I am going to make it through another day.

Think about your life for just a moment:  What’s missing?  I mean, really think about and answer the question, because the answer is your first step in the right direction.  Now ask yourself this follow up question:  “What can I do about it?”  What can you do?  What will you do?  When will you get started?  What are you waiting on?  Make a commitment to do what you can and do it.  Why?  Because God, your Creator loves you and that is more than enough reason!  Live blessed – it’s what you were created for!

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Sit Quietly!

When I was a little boy in primary school, my teachers after growing tired of hearing me talk would say:  “I bet you can sit there for one minute and be quiet!”  I knew I was giving them what they wanted, but I still had to prove that I could do it!  The truth:  Sitting quietly is a good thing, if we will learn to use the time wisely!

Learning to sit quietly in the presence of our Creator is one of the most difficult things that we can try to do in this noise filled and ultra busy world that we live in.  But just because it is difficult, does not mean that we should not try.  In fact, because it is difficult, should be all the more motivation to try.

When we sit quietly, it is a demonstration of trust.  It is our way of saying:  “I don’t have to do anything to try to fix things, because I trust that my Creator knows best.”  “I will sit in His presence and listen for His voice and then at His direction, I will do whatever He says.”

You may be thinking that you have so much to do and that you do not have time to sit in His presence.  In the New Testament, Martha had that same challenge and Jesus told her that Mary had chosen the better part.  Simply lay your “to do” list to the side and take a few moments to enjoy the presence of the One who created you and sustains you, so that you might keep living.

Do not worry about anything, but learn to trust Him in everything.  This is sacred time that strengthens and prepares you to face and deal with whatever may come your way.  Sitting still and quiet in His presence is action of a far greater power than anything that the flesh can manifest.  It is the action of faith which allows trust to grow strong, so that when you stand you can stand against whatever the world may try to bring against you.

Take some time today to sit in the presence of your Creator and you will discover how to live the life you were created for, you will discover how to live blessed!

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Good Company!

One of the greatest blessings of living in this human experience, is that we get to spend time in the company of our Creator.  How amazing is it that we can know and be known by our Creator?  Through relationship with Him, we get to participate in the divine.  When we learn to live in the joy and power of this relationship, then we watch as gray skies turn to blue and the mundane takes on new significance.

A big part of our lives is the monotonous routine of doing the same things over and over again, day after day.  And for many, this becomes life.  When we live in relationship with our Creator, even the routine takes on purpose and meaning, and provides fulfillment through enlightenment!

The best place to focus my mind and energy is in the Spirit, where I get to travel with my Creator as a constant companion and friend.  He shows me things that I would never see on my own.  He gives me understanding that I could never discover in my own power and strength.  He guides me to places of blessing and miracles.

You can live in the presence of your Creator and have His presence walk with you through the struggles and blessings of this life and even the most challenging of days will open up as opportunities for enlightenment and learning.  This is a great miracle and should never be taken for granted!  Enjoy the relationship, appreciate it’s power and live blessed!