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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Solitude And A Rabbit!

I shot a video this morning and as I was walking into the camera view I stirred up a rabbit!  Watch the bottom left corner at very beginning of the video, but watch fast because the rabbit is moving!  Also hope you are encouraged by the message and are able to grab you some solitude soon!  

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I’m Not God!

I'm Not God!

None of us would ever admit to thinking that we are God, but a lot of us like to put ourselves in the position to play God!  The problem with this is – in order for us to get in the position to play God, we have to remove Him from the throne of our lives and put self in that place.  The really big problem with this, is that it can happen and we almost not even realize it!

God is the only One that deserves to be on the throne!  When we take Him off of the throne, it is always with the purpose of replacing Him and the usual replacement is self!  When we put self on the throne, our worship has moved off of the Creator and onto the creation and we know that this is nothing but trouble!

I have noticed and I hate to admit it, but this is almost a daily battle for me!  Just when I think that I have this battle won, something comes along to prove to me that I am not even close!  While I hate to admit it, I am glad that I can admit it, because admitting it – is the first step to heading life in the right direction!

Admission is a good place to start, but it is only the beginning!  May God help me with this journey!  I guess the best way to start is to say:  “Hi, I’m Michael Joe and I’m not God!”

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What’s Your 5%?

Pastor Wayne Coderio

Wayne Coderio, Pastor of New Hope Church in Hawaii ask a very interesting question in one of his messages called “Increasing Your Time!”  The question:  “What is the 5% that only you can do?”  There are a lot of things that we do on a daily basis that anyone can do.  There are some things we do, that a lot of other people with the skills and training could do.  But there are some things that only we can do and these are the things that we need to be giving the bulk of our energy and effort to!

Your spiritual growth is your responsibility!  No one else can grow spiritually for you!  What do you need to do to grow spiritually?

You have to figure out how to stay inspired with a right attitude!  What do you need to make a part of your “Inspiration Package?”

You are the only one that can love your family the way they need to be loved by you!  How do you need to love your family?

You are the one that God created to serve Him in the unique and special way that only you can!  What will you do to better serve God and serve others?

You are responsible for your 5%!  You are the one that has to figure out what you 5% is!  This 5% is what you are going to be accountable for when you stand before your Creator!  What is your 5%?