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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Three Important Life Qualities!

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Flying High!

Life Quality Number One:  MERCY!  On a good day – life is hard.  Live life long enough and your life is going to get turned upside down.  It is important to remember that all of us living life are going through and facing similar things.  The Golden Rule says “To do unto others as you would have them to do unto you!”  We are all in need of some mercy!  When I was younger we used to play this game called”MERCY” where we would interlock our fingers and see who could bend the other person’s fingers backward.  The way to win the game was by getting the other person to say “mercy”.  We should show mercy to others without them having to ask for it.  We should show it, because we need it!

Life Quality Number Two – Faith!  Faith is about trust and we all need to grow some trust into our lives.  We especially need to learn to trust God.  Do you believe that God loves you?  Do you believe that God has a plan for your life?  If you really believe that He loves you and has a plan for your life, then it is very important that you learn to trust Him!  When we trust God, we arrive at His promises and His purposes for our lives.  Fear is the enemy of faith.  It is not always easy or convenient to trust and have faith in God, but it is always necessary!  Faith is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it grows!

Life Quality Number Three – Obedience!  Obedience always follows faith!  You know that your faith is growing when you find yourself obeying God’s direction for your life.  You cannot obey without faith and you cannot have faith without obeying!  It is important to remember:  There is a bigger plan than your plan!  Open your heart and life to God and follow His will by being obedient in all of your steps for Him and His glory!

Take a few moments today to:  RECEIVE God’s Mercy and forgiveness and make sure that you are also sharing mercy and forgiveness with others!  TRUST God, overcome fear and experience victory!  START making steps of obedience that take you into God’s will for your life!

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What Is A Disciple?

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A Weed Or A Flower? 

 

A Weed Or A Flower?

Jesus commanded the church to “Make Disciples!”  in Matthew 28:19-20.  With that in mind, my staff and I have been working to try and figure out what our process for making disciples as a church should look like!  We have not even got close to the process part yet!  We began by trying to answer the question:  “What is a disciple?”  We wanted to answer this question so that even a non-disciple could understand.  This is our rather lengthy definition:

A disciple is a person who has entered into a change relationship with God through Jesus and is in process of ongoing change to become more like Jesus everyday, who when confronted makes the choice to not sin, out of love for Christ and out of that love shows love to others by sharing the Gospel that has changed their life and eternity!

So what do you think?  Do you have anything to add or take away?  We really want to get serious about Northwood being disciples and making disciples!  Thanks for your insight and prayer!