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.

The Real Enemy!

Choose Carefully!

It’s been another one of those weeks and I must say that I have seen a lot more spiritual warfare amping up during this past week all around me.  I have talked with a lot of you and we all seem to be facing the attacks in some way, shape or form of the enemy.

I thought it might be good to remind us of the obvious.  God in His Word has given us great guidance about what to do with the attacks of the enemy.  When you find yourself engaged in spiritual warfare, remember that your greatest weapon is God’s Word.  Read it, believe it, obey it and speak it!

Here’s is a portion to help any of us that might find ourselves on the front lines of spiritual warfare:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  Ephesians 6:10-18

I am praying for you and if you have a specific request, please feel free to inbox me on Facebook, email me or dm me on Twitter!  Blessings!

Fun Friday!

ANIMAL!

I love the Muppets!  When I was growing up they were magical to me and I still get a kick out of them today.  Thought you might enjoy this song and video.  Watch the whole things and see if your favorite makes the cut!  BTW – which Muppet was your favorite?

Hope you enjoy the video below and it makes you smile!  Have a blessed weekend!

Grace Speak Salted!

Season Your Life With Grace!

I consider myself a pretty normal person.  I like sweet tea, fried chicken and home-made ice cream.  I like jeans, a good movie and a real friend.  I like riding with the window down, the radio up and a breeze blowing in.  I say what I think, sometimes before I think about what I say and I know that I’ve got work to do.

Last night as I was reading some Scripture, The Spirit brought me to this verse:  “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6

My speech is to always be with grace.  Not some of the time and not just when I feel like it.  The same grace that God spoke and speaks into my life, I am to speak into the lives of others.

It then says that my grace is to be seasoned with salt.  Salt accentuates and brings out the flavor, while at the same time preserving and causing my words to last.  Grace words seasoned with salt help me to know what to say and to who.  The how always stays the same “in grace”!

God spoke and speaks grace into my life and I am to speak grace into the lives of others for His glory.  I’ve got some work to do, and I am pretty excited about it.  May the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be full of God’s amazing grace. grace words that have a sweet sound and bring salvation, freedom and release to all who hear.