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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Some Quick Thoughts!

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I just wanted to share some quick thoughts with you today.  I have a shadow – a young man from our church is following me around today to see what all a person in the profession of ministry does.  He is going to be a guest blogger today, so while I am typing up this blog he is working on something to share with all of you.

I just wanted to remind you of some awesome things about God!

GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING!  I can never tell God a secret that will surprise Him, because I don’t have any secrets from my all knowing God.  We like to think that we are hiding stuff from God, but we can’t – not even if we wanted to – He knows it all.  God knows everything about you – when you went to bed, how you got up, the number of hairs on your head.  God knows when you are happy or sad.  God knows things about you and your life that you do not even know!

GOD LOVES YOU!  God loves you with an incredible and amazing love!  Most people are trying to figure out ways to cause God to love them more.  We do not earn our love from God.  We cannot earn our love from God.  God’s love is sacrificial.  God was willing to give His most precious possession – His Son Jesus as a sacrifice for you and for me.  God loves you so much that He gave you Jesus before you ever even thought to offer to give anything to Him, so know this:  God loves you with the most incredible love right now in this very moment with as much love as you could ever be loved with!

GOD HATES SIN!  God loves you, but He cannot ignore your sin, and He cannot pretend that it does not exist.  God is perfect – Holy and whenever we sin we practice disobedience to God.  Every time we commit a sin, a sin debt is accrued to our account – a debt that we cannot pay.  The payment for sin is death!  But God wants you and me to live with Him forever and this is why He sent Jesus to die on the cross.  Jesus never sinned, so he did not owe any payment for sin.  So when Jesus died on the cross – He was paying for our sins by making the choice to die for us!  If you accept Jesus’ payment fo sin, you can have everlasting life and meaningful relationship with God.

We have much to be thankful for – most especailly our relationship with God through Jesus.  Don’t take it for granted and don’ waste it – not even for one second of one day!

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Starting The Week With Some Fun!

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Last night Joy and I ran across this video and we must have watched it a hundred times.  It appears to be the Senior Adult Choir from FBC in Columbia.  They are taking a swing at singing some of the really modern day popular and contemporary music.  A few of the songs can even be found in todays “Top Ten”!  Watch the whole video and see if you can figure it out!  Amazing and funny – I hope you enjoy it!