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.
Uncategorized

Crazy In Love!

Crazy In Love!

New Series! We began a new series yesterday at Northwood called “Crazy In Love!”  The focus is different than you might think.  The focus is not on your love toward others.  The focus is on God’s love toward you!  A while back I heard that Beyonce song called “Crazy In Love!” and as I listened to the lyrics, I could not help but think about what might happen in and through our lives if we responded to God’s love with the intensity that she sings about.

Crazy Love! I also was reading a book by Francis Chan called “Crazy Love!”  in which he talks about the crazy and relentless love that God has toward us.  If we could ever get to the place of realization that God loves us, then it would be amazing how our lives would change for the better.  I am not talking about just having a knowledge that you are loved by God.  I am talking about really allowing yourself to be loved by Him.

You Are Worthy, Because God Makes You Worthy! God loves you and He loved you before you ever had a chance to do anything to try and earn that love.  God created you!  God forgives you!  God wants you to live in relationship with Him forever!  You can’t earn it and you don’t deserve it, but God offers His love to you anyway.  Take some time today to think about the awesome and crazy love of God toward you.  You will be glad you did!

Uncategorized

Want A Blessing?

God Wants To Help!

Working For The Weekend!  We are over the hump and headed into the weekend!  I hope that you are taking advantage of a blessed week.  God blesses all of our weeks, it is just up to us to decide if we will accept and take advantage of the blessings or not.  Here is a few thoughts that the Holy Spirit shared with me this morning that I hope will help you on your journey!

Powerful Prayers! I love prayers in the Bible.  I love to read what other people are saying to God.  I especially love to hear what King David had to say to God, because King David was one of those real, messed up, but in love with God kinda guys.  Listen to the words of this prayer that he lifted up to God: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer! Psalms 19

Words Are Powerful! Speaking produces reality!  When we open our mouths and words flow out, these words have the power and the ability to change the direction of our lives.  We need to be careful what we think and even more careful about what we say.  I think that this was one of the reasons why David prayed this prayer.  I want my words to be pleasing to my God, so I need His help and it is not wrong to ask for it.  God help me to speak your words, so that Your will can be my reality!

Your Heart’s Desire! What do you have your heart set on?  What is it that occupies your thoughts?  What do you spend most of your time doing?  The meditation and thoughts of your heart will guide the direction of your living and will produce the reality of your life.  Get the meditation and thought right and get your living and life right!  Again, I need God’s help with this.  I can not do it on my own.  God help me to meditate and think about the things that help me to be pleasing to you and a blessing to others!

God is your ROCK and REDEEMER! Build your life upon Him by thinking the right thoughts and saying the right words and you will be glad you did!

Uncategorized

Image Imagination!

One Of My Favorites!

Here is a very amazing thought for us to chew on! “God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness!” Genesis 1:26  Stop for just a moment and realize that this is talking about you and me!  We are made in the image and likeness of God.  This should challenge us to look at ourselves and others differently.  And when I say differently – I mean in a good and positive way!

God Said It! “God said!” For people to be made in His image was His idea!  God desires for us to take on His nature and character as seen in His Son Jesus.  We should seek to be transformed into His image and likeness, because it is in this place that we will find fulfillment by living in the purpose of our creation.

Only The Best! “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.” God created us from nothing into something.  And not just any something – the something was in His image and likeness.  We may not always live up to our created potential, but the potential is always there, just waiting for us to tap into and experience the miraculous!

I remember as a young boy growing up in church that one of our sunday school rooms had a poster of a little boy with the following words above his head:  “I am special because God made me and God don’t make no junk!”  The grammar may not have been great, but the message was and is powerful.  You are special!  God made you and if He took the time to make you in His image, then you know He has to have an amazing plan for your life!

Take some time today to appreciate who God created you to be.  Also take a little time to appreciate who God created others to be.  You’ll be glad you did!