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.
Every person matters to Jesus! He wants everyone to come into a life changing relationship with Him. Jesus wants everyone to come and be a part. This is why He invites us. Jesus says “Follow Me!” He will not force Himself into a relationship with us – the choice is ours to make! He offers the invitation to follow and we decide if we will.
Life with Jesus is much simpler than most make it! He leads and we follow! Here’s the good news: You don’t have to figure out the way! Just follow! It is in the process of following that Jesus makes us into the something that God created each one of us to be.
There is one thing that is very important for you to understand: Following Jesus is not cheap! It is going to cost you something. When Jesus called the Disciples to follow Him, the Scripture teaches that each one left what they were doing to follow! You will have to let something go, leave something behind, so that you can follow!
You’ve been thinking about following for a long time. You love Jesus and you even say that you are a Christian, but are you following Him? You know that there has to be more than what you are experiencing, but keep asking yourself: “How do I get there?” You will have to leave something behind! What is it that is holding you back and keeping you down? What is it that you need to let go of and walk away from so that you can walk after Jesus? Let’s all get honest and get free!
God is interested in You! I’ve been reading and studying my way through the book of Matthew, specifically focusing on the life of Jesus and I can’t help but notice that Jesus was and is really into people! He walked into their lives and He talked into their lives and He made a difference in their lives!
God is interested in the ordinary! Another thing that I noticed is that Jesus is interested in the ordinary! Most of the time we see Him investing most of His time and energy with ordinary people! Jesus will use the ordinary in extraordinary ways to bring glory to the Father! We don’t have to be flashy to have the attention of God, just faithful!
God wants you to be fulfilled! I know – it may be hard for you to believe, but God really is interested in you and your life. He wants you to succeed, be happy and experience fulfillment. We tend to get in the way of His plans to bless us with our own manipulated and messed up schemes! Just get out of His way and let Him work on, in and through your life!
You matter to God! God cares about what is going on in your life! I want to encourage you to take a little time today and all through out this week to talk and listen to Him! Really seek to discover the truth and experience the reality of how much He cares for you!
I am sure that you have all seen the Apple commercials talking about the difference between a PC and MAC! This video and the ones to follow take a look at the difference between a Christian and Follower Of Christ! I hope they make you think and I hope you will enjoy!
Michael Joe Harvell 