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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Are You Sure It’s Not Monday?

"BAM!"

 

I hate days like today! They start out good and you feel like you are on your way to a great day and then you have an encounter with a person that just seems to really mess everything up.  Have you ever noticed that the people who seem to mess up your day the most are the people who you care about and love the most?

Today was one of those days! I was having a great day.  Just trucking along, doing what I do, serving the Lord, enjoying the journey and then “BAM!”  Out of nowhere, it hits like a ton of bricks!  A person walks into my life, drops a hand grenade and walks out.  It had absolutely nothing to do with me.  This person was just unhappy and needed to share the misery! “Thanks for the blessing!”

Here are a few things that the Spirit is teaching me, now that I have had a little time to digest it.

People are just people! Profound and deep – right!  Reality is that people are people and people will let you down.  It is just a fact of life that people will fall short of your expectations.  The truth is:  I fall short of my own expectations!

Everyone is imperfect! I am not sure why is shakes us up when people let us down.  I know that people are imperfect.  I know this because I am a “people” and I am imperfect.  I guess when I become perfect, then I can expect others to be perfect.  Until then, we will just have to learn to make it the best that we can.

Intention is never enough! Most of the time we have the best of intentions, but we come up short in the fulfillment and follow through department.  Remember:  “Intentions make good paving material for the road to hell!”

We need a Savior! Imperfect people need a perfect Savior!  I need a Savior!  Jesus is my Savior and my friend.  He gives me forgiveness that I do not deserve and restoration that I cannot earn!  Jesus fills me and fulfills me.  I can always count on Him!  Now, I am already feeling a little better.  How about you?

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OUCH!

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Ouch! That Hurts!

This Morning! I was spending a little time in the book of James this morning.  James is one of those books in the Bible where almost every verse just nails me and the work that I need to allow God to do in and through my life.  I can convince myself that I am doing pretty good spiritually and then read James and realize that I have much work to do in the spiritual arena!

 

Small And Powerful! Take for example this little verse located in James 1:26  “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”  “OUCH!”  Can I say it again?  “OUCH!”  Can we say it together?  “OUCH!”

A Few Quick Thoughts: It does not really matter what you think!  Religion can be good or bad – you make the choice with the way that you live your life!  If your Religion does not enable and strengthen you to control your tongue, then your religion is worthless!  It is possible to deceive your own heart!

Think ABout It! I challenge us all to think about it and then do something about it.  I’ve got work to do – how about you?  Press On!

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A Question For God!

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Serving Others Is A Great Way To Serve God!

I want to be an extension of God! I want to be able to share Him and the difference that He can make with others.  I am not God and I can never be God, but I can share Him and the difference that He has made in my life.  God has so challenged and changed my life, that I want to share that challenge and change with others.  He really does make a difference today and in eternity!

I am not in control! That is hard to admit.  Sometimes I think that I would like to be in control, but it really does not matter how much I want to be in control or how in control I think I might be, the truth is:  I am not in control!  I have a set amount of time, the same as everybody else, but I never seem to have enough.  I have some amazing talents that God has blessed me with, but I fail to use them to their full potential.  God has given me many treasures in my life and I have taken way to many of them for granted by wasting when I should have been sharing.

I accept His calling to join Him in His Kingdom’s work! I am willing to do whatever He ask, whenever He ask, however He might ask!  My new question for God:  “How may I serve you today?”