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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Powerful Prayers – Step Four!

It has always been amazing to me that God would want to talk with and listen to me!  He is perfect and I am messed up and yet He still wants to have conversation with me!

This is one of the reasons that I love the prayer of Jabez.  It teaches us the steps that we must take if we are going to have these powerful prayer conversations with God!  This prayer that was made popular by the book written by Dr. Bruce Wilkerson entitled “The Prayer Of Jabez!” is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10  “9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”

Do you remember the first three steps?  The first step is the Step Of Integrity! If we are going to pray powerful prayers, then we must be people of honor, people who’s walk and talk match up to bring glory to our Creator and Sustainer!  The second step is the Step Of Godly Focus! When we pray we need to make sure that our prayers are talking to and listening for God and His will for our lives.  God has a plan and it is to bless us, so we need to make sure that we are paying attention to Him!  The third step is the Step Of Request! We  have to learn to ask God for what God is leading us to ask for!  When we pray according to God’s will, then we are sure to receive positive, motivating and life changing responses from God!

The fourth step is the Step Of Trust! Jabez prayed:  “Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” When we pray, we have to trust that God is going to hear us and respond in a way that is best for us and the life that we are living!  We need His hand guiding our lives, so that if we start to take a step in the wrong direction,the strong and gentle hand of God will be there to guide us in right direction.

When we are traveling in the right direction of God, we don’t have to worry about harm or pain, because God is protecting us every step of the way! And when we take that step of trust that helps us to ask for God’s will, then God is sure to grant our request.  Trust God and chase after His will – you will be glad you did!

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Powerful Prayers – Step Three!

I believe that God has given every person the ability to talk to and hear from Him!  This is an amazing ability that He has blessed us with and we need to be extra careful not to take it for granted.  The best way to not take it for granted is to use it for His glory and everyone’s blessing!

We are learning the steps that we must take, if we are going to use this gift of powerful prayer to accomplish glory and blessing.  We are being “schooled” by “The Prayer Of Jabez!”.  A prayer which was made popular a few years ago by a book written by Dr. Bruce Wilkerson about the prayer which is found in I Chronicles 4:9-10.

This is what those two verses share: “9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”

The first step is the Step Of Integrity! If we are going to pray powerful prayers, then we must be people of honor, people who’s walk and talk match up to bring glory to our Creator and Sustainer!

The second step is the Step Of Godly Focus! When we pray we need to make sure that our prayers are talking to and listening for God and His will for our lives.  God has a plan and it is to bless us, so we need to make sure that we are paying attention to Him!

The third step is the Step Of Request! The scripture says that Jabez cried out to God and asked:  “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!” He requested the very thing that God was longing to give Him!  God wants to bless you and God wants to give you room to grow and prosper.  The Bible is full of the promises of God and in so many of those promises, God is declaring His love and through that love the desire to do things for you, that you could never do for yourself.

“We have not, because we ask not!”  What is it that God is leading you to request from Him?  Could it be that you don’t have what you need because you have been trying to obtain it in your own strength and power?  Could it be that God is just waiting for you to ask, so that He might respond and bring glory to Himself while giving blessings to you?

Take some time today to listen to God! Look into His Word and discover His awesome and amazing promises and then go to Him with the request that He has laid on your heart and get ready for Him to do a work in and through your life!