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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Action Words!

Get Into It!

“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”  1 john 1:6

What we say is important, because there is great power in our words, but what we say has to be backed up with our actions.  We can’t say we love God and are in meaningful relationship with Him and live life any ole way that we want to.

To say we have meaningful fellowship with Him and not back it up with the actions of our life means that we are living a lie.  The problem with living a lie is that it keeps us from living in the freedom of truth.

Truth sets us free to live the everlasting and abundant life that God has promised.  We need the power of our right words, but we also need the power of our right actions.  Ask God for His help to get both of these right and then do all you can to do your part and you will be amazed at the fruit that your life begins to produce!

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This Is The Message!

For Me?

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”  1 John 1:5

You were created by a Creator, Who has a plan for you and your life.  It really is an amazing plan.  The system of this world will try to steal away from you, the joy of this amazing plan, but you cannot allow that to happen.

The success of this amazing plan hinges on our living in relationship and growing in fellowship with God and one another.  The message of God is that He loves you and out of that love He has created you for relationship.

God is Light and light chases away the darkness, so if you are in relationship with Him, then the darkness cannot stay in your life.  There is not darkness in Him at all and so darkness has nowhere to hide when God is present in our lives.

Hear the message, believe the message, live the message.  It really is an amazing gift!

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Different!

Different!

We live in a very different and continually changing world.  As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to experience, share and grow in grace.  Sometimes we are pretty good at this and at other times, we are lacking big time.  We don’t want to be judged, but are pretty quick to judge others.

The real challenge comes in the area of what we say versus what we do.  We are pretty good at throwing around the spiritual words, but the words mean nothing, if they are not backed up with actions.  We can’t share grace without love and we can’t grow love without grace.

People are hungry and starving in our world today.  And their hunger is for more than physical food.  People are hungry for spiritual connection and purpose, and often without even being aware of their need.  This is why spiritual community where love and grace are allowed to flow is so important.

If you have not already, take time to find a spiritual community that you can be a part of.  Make sure that you are receiving and giving love and grace – allowing it to flow into and through your life to others.  Be different and grow in the change that is all around you!  You will be glad you did!