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.

Before You Ask God to Change Everything, Pray This!

Good morning, my friend. 

Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” 

Have you ever cleaned the house, washed the car, and put everything back in its place, but still felt like something inside you needed attention? 

We can look fine on the outside and carry a whole lot of clutter on the inside. Hurt we haven’t surrendered. Sin we haven’t confessed. An attitude we’ve been making excuses for. 

David knew that feeling. He had sinned, and he needed God’s forgiveness. So he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart.” 

Friend, that’s a prayer we need, too. 

“Lord, help me quit pointing at everybody else long enough to let You work on me. Forgive what’s wrong. Clean out what I’ve allowed to settle in my heart.” 

And then David prayed, “Renew a right spirit within me.” 

Sometimes we keep doing the right things, but somewhere along the way, our spirit gets sour. We serve, but we complain. We show up, but our joy has slipped away. 

Today, bring all of that to God. You don’t have to hide it. He already knows, and His mercy invites you to come. 

Before you ask Him to change your circumstances, take a moment to pray, “Lord, start right here in me.” 

A clean heart. A right spirit. What a good way to begin the day. 

Press On!

Loved First!

Good morning, my friend! 

First John 4:19 says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” 

Now, let that settle into your heart this morning. Before you ever thought about God, God was thinking about you. Before you ever reached for Him, He was reaching for you. 

Sometimes we spend so much of our lives trying to prove that we are worth loving. We work harder, try to keep everybody happy, and wear ourselves out hoping somebody will see our value. 

But, friend, you don’t have to convince God to love you. He already does! He knows your struggles, your shortcomings, and those things you wish you could go back and change. And He sent Jesus because He loves you. 

Look at the cross. God’s love went beyond words. Jesus gave His life so we could be forgiven and brought into a relationship with Him. 

That kind of love changes us. We begin to love Him because we understand what He has done for us. And as we walk with Him, His love starts showing up in how we treat other people. 

So today, take a breath. Thank God for loving you first. Then let that love move through you. Encourage somebody. Be patient. Offer forgiveness. Remind someone that they matter. 

You may feel overlooked by people, but you are deeply loved by God. Carry that truth with you today, my friend.
 Titles

Your Normal Day Is Someone’s Dream!

Good evening, my friend.

“Your normal day is someone’s dream, so be thankful every day.”

As this day comes to a close, take a moment to think about the blessings you may have hurried past. A place to rest. Someone who cares about you. Food on the table. The strength to keep going. These things can feel ordinary, but they are gifts from God.

That doesn’t mean every day is easy. Some days carry worry, disappointment, or heartache. But even in a difficult season, God is still near. His mercy has met you today, and His faithfulness has carried you through more than you may realize.

Maybe tonight, instead of focusing only on what went wrong or what you still need, thank the Lord for what He has already given you.

Your day may have felt ordinary, but it was still a gift. Rest tonight with a grateful heart, trusting that the God who helped you today will be with you tomorrow.