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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Someone Needs Your Mercy More Than Your Judgment Today!

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” -Matthew 5:7 (KJV)

One of the clearest marks of a heart that has been changed by God is a willingness to show mercy to others.

Mercy is choosing compassion when judgment would be easier. It is offering forgiveness when someone does not deserve it. It is extending grace because we remember how much grace God has extended to us.

The truth is, every one of us stands in need of mercy. We have all fallen short. We have all made mistakes. We have all experienced moments when we desperately needed God’s forgiveness and compassion.

Jesus reminds us that those who have received mercy should become people who give mercy.

Perhaps today someone has hurt you, disappointed you, or tested your patience. Your natural response may be to hold on to the offense or demand repayment for the wrong. But mercy chooses a different path. Mercy releases what judgment wants to hold.

Showing mercy does not mean excusing sin or pretending the hurt never happened. It means trusting God enough to place the situation in His hands rather than carrying the burden yourself.

The more we understand God’s mercy toward us, the easier it becomes to show mercy to others.

So today, ask God to help you see people through His eyes. Extend kindness where there is conflict. Offer forgiveness where there is hurt. Show compassion where there is need.

A merciful heart reflects the very character of Christ.

As I’ve often said, “People may forget what you said, but they will never forget the mercy you showed when they needed it most.”

Be encouraged today. The mercy you give is often the mercy God uses to change a life.

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What Are You Really Hungry For?

Have you ever noticed that the things we hunger for often determine the direction of our lives?

Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Physical hunger reminds us that our bodies need food. Spiritual hunger reminds us that our souls need God. The problem is not that people are hungry. The problem is that many are searching for satisfaction in all the wrong places.

Some try success, possessions, popularity, pleasure, or achievement, only to discover that none of those things can truly satisfy the deepest needs of the heart. There is a longing inside every person that only God can fill.

Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled. He is speaking about a passionate desire to know God, walk with God, and live according to His will. When we seek Him, He never leaves us empty. He fills us with His presence, His peace, His strength, and His purpose.

Maybe today you feel spiritually dry or weary. Perhaps you know there must be more to your relationship with God than what you are currently experiencing. That hunger may be God’s invitation to draw closer to Him.

Do not ignore that desire. Open His Word. Spend time in prayer. Seek His presence. The more you pursue Him, the more you will discover that He is exactly what your heart has been searching for all along.

The world offers temporary satisfaction, but Jesus offers lasting fulfillment. Hunger for Him today, and He promises that you will be filled.