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.

WWW.DO?

Grace & Hope!
Grace & Hope!

Do you remember when it was all the rage to wear one of those “W.W.J.D?” bracelets? It seemed like everyone had one!  You were supposed to wear it as a reminder to ask yourself:  “What Would Jesus Do?” As you answered the question, you were to then find the motivation to do the right thing!  The problem was and is – A lot of people ask the question, but they fail to let the answer make any difference in their life!

In Matthew 4:23-25 we read about what Jesus did! He taught in the churches, preached the good news and healed the sick!  Thinking about what Jesus did and does has got me to thinking!  Maybe we need a new initial set! How about WWW.DO? = What Will We Do? Because of what Jesus has done and is doing – what will we do?

I would like to suggest three places to start!  We will take one place a day for the next few days!

First – We Need To Learn And Teach! Discipleship has got to be more that just a fancy church word in our vocabulary!  We need to put ourselves in a place where we can learn from God through His Word!  We need to learn, so that we can teach!  We like to think that we know it all, but when we are honest with ourselves – we know that we don’t!

The truth is:  You are coming out of a battle, in the midst of a battle or heading into a battle! The best way to be prepared for battle is by learning from God about who you are, what you were created for and how God plans to use your life for His glory!  We should always be preparing for the next battle!  What is it in your life that God needs to deal with, so that you can help others to deal with it in their lives?  As God teaches you to deal with your stuff – you get to help others deal with their stuff!

Supernatural!

Hope, Buddy & Mr. David!
Hope, Buddy & Mr. David!

You are not an accident and your life should not be lived by accident! You were created on purpose and for a purpose!  And Jesus came, walked upon this earth, died on the cross, was resurrected from the grave and is seated in Heaven for a purpose!

Life is about so much more than just going through the motions. Jesus steps into your life and invites you to step into His life, so that He might take you somewhere!  The goal of Jesus is to help you BECOME!  Jesus wants to help you become all that God created you to become.

When Jesus invites you to get into relationship and follow Him, it is with the intention to “make” you into the something that God created you to be.  You follow and Jesus will make!  That really takes the pressure off!  I don’t have to make myself into anything.  I just simply have to follow Jesus!  Step by step, day by day and life situation to situation.  As I follow Him – He will make me into something special!

What are you going to be? As you live you life, day in and day out – what are you becoming?  When we really start to follow – God will use us to help others to follow.  As we allow Him to make a difference in our lives – He will us our lives to make a difference in others!  We get to participate in the supernatural!

Are you accomplishing the supernatural? You could be!  You should be!  You just have to take the time to follow Him and He will make you into what you need to be and help you to do whatever it is that you have been created to do!  You are important and you do matter.  God has an amazing plan for your life!  Don’t miss it!