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.

Video For Thought!

Many of you have asked me about this video and I thought that I would share with you this link.  Do you really love God?  Real love is more than words it is action and not just any action – it has to be the right action and reactions to whatever life throws your way!  I hope you enjoy the video and I hope to see you Sunday as we seek to take some action that really says “I Love You!” to God our Creator and Sustainer!

Take A Risk!

What kind of risks have you taken lately?  Most of us by nature are not “risk takers”!  When we do get around to taking a risk it is usually by accident and not because we planned it!  Having a relationship with God is all about risk!  Think about it:  The relationship is started and maintained through faith! 

Faith is the thing that makes risk possible!  Risk is the thing that allows God to show Himself through the accomplishments of our lives!  When I take a risk and step out in faith trusting God, I see things accomplished that I never would have believed could happen.  My faith leads to the risk and the risk grows and strengthens my faith!  Both faith and risk are necessary for my growth and development!

God wants to accomplish great things in and through our lives!  I refuse to believe that we are here by accident and without purpose!  God created us, gifted us and placed us upon this earth for the purpose of living lives that glorify Him!  God will provide whatever it is that we need to accomplish His calling, but it is our job to proceed forward by living a life of faith that takes the risks that allow God to accomplish in and through us more than we could ever dream or imagine! 

What risk do you need to take today?

Greater Than You Can Imagine!

God wants to do greater things in and through our lives!  He wants to do greater things than we could dream or imagine!  For God to do His stuff to and through us, we must SURRENDER!  When we surrender – He moves us out of our limited power and vision and into the SUPERNATURAL!  Only when we give God complete and total control, can He move us from good to great!

I am not and cannot be satisfied with the status quo!  I have no choice, but to go against the flow of self satisfaction and mediocrity!  God wants to do amazing things in and through me and God wants to do amazing things in and through you also!  There will be moments of doubt, but that is when our faith kicks in and we trust God to give us the strength to take on our uncertainties!  God is calling you to something that is much bigger than yourself.  Nothing is impossible with God!  Trust Him and let Him grow your FAITH!