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.
Uncategorized

Three Beliefs To Shape Your Life!

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I think of myself as just an ordinary guy!  Nothing really special about me, other than my spiritual connection with my Creator and my desire to try to make life better!  Sometimes people will comment on my wisdom, which really makes me laugh on the inside.  Some people think I have an ego, which is also funny, because in a lot of ways, I sometimes have a very low self-esteem and don’t consider myself that important of a person.

I like to be real and put it all out there.  The reality about me, is that I am a screw-up.  If I have any wisdom at all, it is because God has blessed me with it, through my making and learning from my mistakes.  (By the way, I am still making them, so I guess that God still has a lot for me to learn!)  I do sometimes think that I am something special, but it really has nothing to do with me, it’s just that I know and believe that God lives in and through me!

I say all of that to say this:  Often times people will ask me:  How do you come up with your insights into life?  I was thinking about this a little last week and I’ve come up with three things I believe that help to shape who I am, how I see life and the way that I live and learn from it!  I hope they encourage, help and bless you!

1.)  Life’s Greatest Education And Growth Comes From A Willingness To Learn New Things! I don’t know it all and I never will.  Every person that I have ever met has something to teach me, if I am paying attention and am willing to learn!  I try to open myself up to learn new things, but must admit that this is easier said than done!  It takes hard and concentrated effort.  You can learn by accident, but the greatest lessons are learned on purpose and for a purpose!

2.)  It’s Not Having The Knowledge, It’s What You Do With The Knowledge You Do Have That Counts! Some say that “Knowledge Is Power!”  For knowledge to truly be powerful, you have to do more than have it, you have to use it and when we use it for good and blessing, it becomes even more powerful!  The great purpose of learning new things is sharing those things and the difference they can make with and for others!

3.) People Make The World Go Around – You Can’t Do Life Right Without Them! I like to remind myself that even the Lone Ranger was never really alone!  Our Creator created us for togetherness.  There are things that we can do and accomplish together that we could never accomplish apart!  Life is designed so that we get and give through one another!  The process just cannot work the way it is supposed to without each other!

Get your beliefs right and life will be amazing!  God Bless & G3!

Family, Growing, Uncategorized

Being One & Having One! (My 500th Post!)

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My Family!

I woke up this morning thinking about how blessed I am to have two amazing little girls!  They have taught me so much about life and everyday seems to bring a new lesson and some greater understanding!  If God has blessed you with children, then He has blessed you with a very good thing.  Be sure to not take the very special gift for granted!

I love my children more than I can come up with words to explain.  Even when they are challenging (and that is most days – they are just like their Daddy!), I still love them and I am thankful for them!  I was thinking this morning about how God loves and protects His children.  God through His Word promises divine protection for His children!  I believe that God has His Angels encamped all around us.  I believe that these Angels are all around us to protect and keep us from danger and harm!

As a child of God, I know that I have and will have to go through the fire, but I have not and will not be burned!  I know that, while I find myself in the flood waters, they cannot overtake me!  I may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but I do not and will not fear any evil, because I know that God – my loving Heavenly Father is with me!  He has promised me, that no weapon formed against me shall prosper!

Today I am praying for my children, that God will be their refuge and strength.  I am asking God to deliver them from their enemies and the traps that their enemies may set!  I pray that God’s truth will be a continual shield of protection upon their lives.  May they never fall prey to the schemes and traps of the evil one.  May they everyday of their lives walk in wisdom and discernment by hearing and responding to the voice of our Creator.  I pray that they will discover, understand and fulfill the plans and purposes that God has for them as they make a difference in this world by living lives that bring God glory!

God loves me, I love them and may we all together love Him back!

(Realized after I posted that this is Blog Post #500.  I just want to thank each of you that read this blog everyday.  I hope it is a blessing and encouragement!)

Blessings!