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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What To Say When You Pray!

Prayer Power!

What do you say when you pray?  A lot of times when we think about prayer our focus becomes on our side of the conversation.  Prayer is conversation and conversation is about talking and listening!  Both are important and both deserve our attention and willingness to learn!

Luke 11:1-4  tells us:  “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2He said to them, “When you pray, say:” ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3Give us each day our daily bread. 4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.  And lead us not into temptation. “

Notice who we are to talk and listen to – Our Father God.

Second you will discover what we are to pray – We are to pray for God’s will!

Next, we are to ask God for our daily bread – Trusting that He will provide for our needs!

We tend to forget that we are sinners – And this is why it is important that we ask God for His forgiveness.  We are really not free to ask for what we are not willing to give, so if you want forgiveness, then it is important that you give forgiveness!

And we should ask God to help us to stay away from temptations!  They seem to always be knocking at our door!

When you have a conversation today – use this as a guide to make sure that you talk about and listen for the right things!

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Tired And Frustrated?

Ever Feel This Way?

Do you ever have more on you than you can handle?

Matthew 11:28-30 says: 28″Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

A Better Way! The secret to overcoming the frustrations of life is “COMING TO JESUS!”  He has rest that He wants to give to you and me.  He has a new and better way that He wants to teach us, but we cannot take on and learn His way, until we take off and lay aside our way.

You Can Have Rest! Jesus wants to give you physical, mental, emotional, financial and spiritual rest, but you have to take it His way, which means that you have to trust Him enough to really trust Him.  Let go and let God!  You will be glad you did!

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What Do You Do With Your Bible?

God's Word!

Do you have a Bible? What do you do with it?  A lot of people have them, but often fail to use them.  God gave us our Bibles so that we could have His Word.  He gave us His Word so that our lives could be lived in the right direction!

Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Think About It! Don’t let it depart from your mouth!  We are to read it, think on it, and speak it all of the time.  We are to meditate on it day and night so that we can apply it and obey it in every situation and circumstance in life.

God Wants You To Have Success! God loves you and has an amazing plan for your life!  God wants you to prosper and succeed!  The secret to experiencing His success is living in obedient surrender to His Word and that is why taking in a little every day can make a big difference!