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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Yes God Does Care!

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dsc_0028Does God care?  Just look around and you will see that our world is in a mess!  Most people are living a “just getting by” kinda life!  There is unhappiness, dissatisfaction, frustration and discouragement all around.  People are just hoping that everything is going to be okay.  But, I want you to know that God does care!

If God does care – what does He care about?  Most people believe that there is a God!  But most people don’t really believe that you can have a real relationship with Him.  A relationship that changes your life today and for all eternity.  When life spins out of control we need to remember and remind ourselves that God does care and God wants to have a real and meaningful relationship with us.  And I want you to remember that God cares about you.

A lady by the name of Hannah is found in I Samuel chapter one and when we find her she is in a bad place.  She is married to a man that she loves and that loves her, but she cannot have a child.  The man that she is married to has another wife that has given him children and she picks at Hannah every chance she gets, because Hannah is barren and can have no children of her own.

It is important for us to remember a few things about this life that we live.  First – All things that come or fail to come into our life are allowed by God!  Second – God is sovereign and in control!  Third – We need to humbly recognize God’s hand behind the circumstances of life!  (GO back and read over those three again and take some time to think through them!)

Hannah was distressed and depressed.  She prayed and she wept.  Sometimes when life gets really hard, the only thing left to do is cry and pray!  Hannah was disappointed – life was not working out the way that she had planned!  Hannah was dissatisfied – life was not living up to it’s expectations!  Hannah was discontent – life was passing her by and she was not willing to sit by and watch it!  When life get so tough, that we think we can’t take another day – we have to decide what we really believe!

Some people live with an attitude of fatalism – they say to themselves and those around them:  If God is sovereign, then who am I to do anything about it?  Others choose to live life with an attitude of resentment – they say to themselves and those around them:  If God is going to treat me this way, then I want nothing to do with Him!  We need to live life with an attitude of faith – we should say to ourselves and those around us:  I know and trust in God’s sovereignty and His goodness toward me!

Romans 8:28 reminds us:  “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:38-39 says:  “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God Is Good Good And God Does Care And Don’t Let Anyone Change Your Mind And Heart About That!  Victory Is Yours – So Go Out And Get You Some!

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Does God Care?

With all that is going on in our world at this particular time, this is a question that more and more people are beginning to ask.  And if God does care, then what does He care about?  In I Samuel 1:3-11 we find a lady by the name of Hannah.  She is going through a really tough time because she wants to have a child, but is unable to have a child.  We can tell by the prayer that she prays that she believes that God cares and that He cares about her!

Tonight at Northwood, we are going to take some time to look at Hannah’s prayer and also seek to understand the faith to pray such a prayer.  If you want to learn about how to talk to God and believe in God, then you don’t want to miss this special time of study.  Come join me in the Worship Center at 6:30 P.M. as we take some time to discover and remind ourselves that YES – God Does Care!

And for those of you who can’t make it – I will try and post some points on tomorrow’s blog!  (But go a head and check out the Scripture for yourself!)

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Forgiveness!

Have you ever noticed how much the Bible talks about forgiveness?  There is verse after verse that tells us to forgive others!  When someone hurts you, you have a choice to make, you can hold on to the anger, hurt, resentment and thoughts of getting even or you can forgive and move forward.

Everyone has been or will be hurt by the actions or inactions of someone else.  It may come from a family member, friend or even a complete stranger.  The things that people say and do can hurt and leave you with anger, bitterness, frustration and an attitude of vengeance.

The Bible tells us to forgive, because we have been forgiven.  If we have been forgiven and truly appreciate our forgiveness, then we will forgive!  When we forgive, we will experience freedom and release, but when we fail to forgive it will cost us!

To forgive means that I make the choice to let go of the resentment that I hold on to and the revenge that I seek.  Forgiveness is the action of separating myself from my thoughts and feelings, so that I can make the right choice about what is best for me and those around me.

Forgiveness helps me to live a healthier life by allowing me to be in control of my feelings, rather than having my feelings control me!  Forgiveness is not always easy.  It is best to understand that forgiveness is a process:

  1. REALIZE that forgiveness is your best option!  Take some time to think about what unwillingness to forgive is costing you and allow these thoughts to motivate you to forgive!
  2. REFLECT and think about how you got to where you are and admit to yourself that you don’t want to stay in this place!
  3. REACT in a positive way and seek reconciliation as much as you can from your side of things!

Above all remind yourself again and again of the forgiveness that has been granted to you by Your Savior.  Forgiveness that we do not deserve and that we cannot earn!  If you’ve got it, then give it!

I’ve got some work to do – how about you?