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.
The Question! Today, I had the staff go out for 15 minutes and think about this question: “What is one thing that God wants you to share with us about yourself that you don’t want to share with us?” I believe that there are a lot of things that we don’t want to share with others, but we need to share and God wants us to share! Our sharing could create opportunity for healing and growth of our relationships and this brings blessing to us and glory to God!
The Enemy’s Plan! One of the greatest tools that the Devil has in his arsenal is the tool of breaking down communication! If he can get us to stop talking, then he can get us to stop forgiving. If he can get us to stop forgiving, then he can keep us from living in the forgiveness that God wants to give to us. When we fail to live in the forgiveness that God has for us, it robs God of glory and the Devil is very happy about that!
Think about it today! Who do you need to share some things with, things that you don’t want to share, but you know God is telling you to share? Make sure you are hearing from God and then move forward for your healing and growth and for God’s glory!
I Hear It All The Time! Being a pastor, this is one of the questions that I seem to get over and over and over again! It seems to me that most people believe in God. Most of the people who believe in God, believe that God has a plan and purpose for their life. But most people have a really hard time figuring out what that plan is, so that they can live their lives accordingly.
What Does God Want Me To Do With My Life? Whenever I have a serious question, one of the first places that I go, is to the Word. God has given us the Scriptures to guide, direct and grow our lives. As we read the scriptures and begin to put into practice what they are teaching through obedient surrender, our lives almost automatically begin to live in the direction that God has mapped out for us.
Let’s Give It A Try: What does God want me to do with my life? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy of offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2
Ask And Answer! What do these two verses tell us to do? The first thing it tells us to do is to worship God! “Offer you body as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship!” It does not say “go to worship”, it says: “Worship by offering your body as a living sacrifice – holy and pleasing to God! Now we’ve got our work cut out for us. Is there any question about what we need to be doing?
What And How? I don’t think there is a question about “What?”, but maybe about “How?” The second part of the verse helps to answer this question: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Stop living according to the direction of the world and start living according to the direction of God’s Word. I know it’s easier said than done, but if God in His Word has told us to do it, then it is possible and the best way to get started is to try! Give it a shot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step!
The Promise! This scripture tells us that when we get headed in this right direction: “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will!” If you want to know what God wants you to do with your life, you have to start traveling in that direction. Enjoy the journey!
How’s your life? Are you happy with where you are and where you are going? If you are not happy, then what can you do about it? If you are happy, then what can you do to appreciate your blessings and grow them to share with others?
The key to happiness is fulfillment! If you can figure out what it is that fulfills you and head toward that, then you will experience happiness, regardless of your life circumstances. God is real! God loves you and He has a plan for your life! His plan is to help you to live a fulfilled life!
You cannot live according to this amazing plan by accident. You have to make a decision that you are going to live your life on purpose, according to His purpose! When we figure this out and get this right, our life begins to travel along this amazing path that God has marked out for us. As we learn to listen to Him and as we yield to His ways, we begin to see, hear and experience things in a brand new and amazing way!
What do you need to do today to yield to God and His plan? What can you do? What will you do? Do it!
Michael Joe Harvell 