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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Don’t Wait, Do!

You Reap What You Sow!

One of my favorite memories from growing up was spending time with my Grandpa out in his garden.  He taught me how to plant, care for and harvest from the soil.  I still to this very day love the smell of turned up dirt and get a real kick out of watching things grow.

The Bible says:  “He who watches the wind will not plant and he who looks at the clouds will not harvest.”  Ecclesiastes 11:4  This is a pretty clear indication that you must have more than good intentions, if you plan to succeed in accomplishing something in this life.

Most of us live with a “tomorrow attitude!”  We live our lives planning on doing whatever needs to be done – tomorrow, or when conditions are just right.  We watch the wind, waiting for the weather to get – just right.  We look to the clouds for an ideal situation.

Don’t wait, do!  All of the time that we spend waiting is wasted time.  It’s time to step out of the busyness of waiting, which accomplishes very little to nothing and into on purpose action!  You know there are some things that you need to be doing, that you have been needing to be doing, so stop putting them off and get it done.

The Bible teaches – “You harvest what you plant!”  If you plant nothing, then you will harvest nothing!  When you stop reading, start doing whatever it is that you need to do that will make your life pleasing to God and a blessing to others!  G3!

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Freedom Isn’t Free!

Freedom Isn't Free!

Everyday we enjoy the tremendous benefits of being free, but the freedom we enjoy isn’t free!  It cost someone – somewhere something!  There is always a price that has to be paid for freedom and the price is not a cheap one.

The freedom that we enjoy today was paid for by someone – somewhere giving up their freedom!  Men and women have given their lives, so that we can enjoy the freedom to enjoy our freedom and we should never take any of it for granted.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

The ultimate freedom – freedom from sin was bought and paid for by the life, death and resurrection of our Savior.  Jesus was free to do as he pleased.  He did not have to fight the war against sin on a cruel cross.  He did not have to fight the war against death in a lonely grave.  But he gave up his freedom and fought these battles, so that we might enjoy freedom here on this earth and throughout eternity.

As you enjoy freedom today, make sure that you do not take it for granted.  Take just a moment or maybe a few moments and remember that freedom isn’t free and let that make you thankful!  You will be glad you did!  G3!