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.
This has been a crazy busy week! From the moment I get up, until the moment I go to bed – it seems that things are flying at me from all directions! (And I have not said or done anything to upset Joy! HAHA!) The stuff flying at me is not something that my wife is hurling my way. It’s just the stuff of life – you know – every day living kinda stuff. When life gets crazy busy, I have to remind myself, discipline myself, make myself slow down and remember what is really important!
One of the things that helps me to remember what is really important is my devotional time every morning. I take time at the beginning of every day to sit down with an open Bible, journal and heart. And every day God takes the time to speak to me. How do you stay sane in an insane world? Make sure that you are taking and making time to talk to and listen to God – He loves you and has an awesome plan for your life!
I love God, but I must confess – I don’t always love Him as much as I could and as much as I should! One of the great ways that we show our love for God is by loving others! I do not always love others the way that Jesus loves me. Jesus loved me when I was unloveable. I don’t have a problem loving people that are loveable – that’s easy, bring them on! It’s the unloveable people that I have a problem with – is it just me? I am asking God to help me to be more loving, especially toward the unloveable. I did not have to earn His love and I don’t want others to have to earn my love – if it’s earned is it really love anyway?
I am so glad that God loved me so much that He gave His most precious gift – His Son Jesus, so that I might be able to have a relationship with Him! I am so glad that Jesus loved me so much that He was willing to give of His life so that I might have abundant and everlasting life. Because of the great love that I have received – I will try to love with a great love that will honor and give glory to God! I love God and I love you – let’s make a difference in this world for eternity!
We had a great day yesterday – Go God! If you have started your Monday, then I am sure that the STRUGGLES have begun! Just remember: Struggle is a process and that which doesn’t kill you – is going to make you stronger, if you are depending on God for strength and direction! You may not like your struggle, but you’ve got it, so what are you going to do with it? Don’t let it define you – you define it!
You belong to God! God created you and God does not make junk! God loves you and has an amazing plan for your life! God gave His most precious gift, so that you and I might have the gift of a relationship with Him. God more than cares about you! God cares about what you are going through! God has you in His embrace – take a moment to feel His strong, loving and faithful arms around you! God has His protection all around you – take a moment to think about all that He has already taken care of for you in your life time!
The struggle that you are facing right now – is it a test from God or a temptation from the devil? The answer to this question will determine how you will handle it! This struggle is your wake up call! Don’t hit the snooze button – get up and get ready for the victory that God is sending your way!
Stop fighting the struggle and start learning from it! Allow God’s comfort and power to flow into and through your weakness! There is a plan, even when you can’t see it or don’t understand it! I hope these words help you to struggle with your struggle!
Michael Joe Harvell 