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.

You Have A Very Real Enemy!

We Have A Very Real Enemy! If you are trying to live for God, then mark this down – you have a very real enemy and his name is Satan.  He wants to mess things up!  He tried to mess things up in Heaven when He was there, but God and His Angels put a stop to that!  He tried to mess with Jesus during His three plus years here on this earth, but Jesus was stronger and more determined!  He tries to mess with us and many times we give in, but we don’t have to!

You’ve Got The Joy! The devil wants to steal your joy, but He can’t have it unless you decide to give it to Him!  We need to understand something about our enemy.  He is not out to render us inoperable.  His goal is to render us ineffective.  If he can render us ineffective, then we will take ourselves out!

Getting Ready For The New Year! As we move out of 2009 and into 2010, lets all make the effort to realize that we have a very real enemy and it is not each other!  Let’s learn about what God has given us that the devil can’t take away, unless we let him.  Let’s grow so that we can be all that God created us to be and claim our place as “more than conquerors!”

Join Me! Join me everyday this week here on this blog as we seek to learn, grow and experience the victory that God has for us!  Until tomorrow – Keep your joy!  God gave it to you and the devil can never deserve it!  Remember:  We are in this thing called life together!

Another Gift!

This is a verse from my devotional time this morning.  It  speaks volumes!  It is found in 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God knows what He is doing and God will unfold His plan according to His very own and personal schedule.  He has made us a promise and He will keep His promise because He is God and that is Who God is and what God does.  We need to understand that what may seem like slow movement from God toward us is really patience.

It is God’s desire that each of us know Him in a real, personal and meaningful way.  Stop for just a moment to ask and answer this question:  Can you know God better?  The answer is obviously yes, so take whatever time He has given you and do your part to get to know Him better.  No matter what mistakes you’ve made, God desires to be close to you and has made it possible through the gift of His Son Jesus Christ!  Don’t waste God’s patience – enjoy it!

Do Something Nice!

MJ Sharing The Grinch With Some Of The Northwood Kids!

Today would be a great day to do something nice for someone!  Take a few moments to think about what you could do to be a blessing to someone today.  Maybe you could write a note, buy someone lunch, fix someone a cup of coffee or offer to help someone in need.  It does not matter what you do or who you do it to.  Just take the time to do it today!

Stop right now and think about something that you can do and then go and look for someone to do it to before this day is over!  Why are you still reading – you’ve got work to do!  Go!