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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Let The Walls Come Down!

Tear Down That Wall!

We are great at building walls around our lives. We build the walls for our protection, so that we won’t get hurt or taken advantage of.  But there is a problem with the walls that we build, they not only protect us from influences outside, they also keep us from influences outside that can bless and benefit us!  God has great and amazing things in store for each one of us, but we have to grow to a place of trust!

My Small Group! I was talking to one of my small group members today and she expressed how everyone in our group had been through the fire and could not help but to be real, because there was really nothing worth hiding, left to hide!  Because of this “REAL REALITY!” we are able to really be there for each other.

Be Careful! If you wall others out – you will wall yourself in!  Open up your life and allow others to come and go.  God will protect you, if you will let Him and He will also bless you with some amazing relationships that make life better!

Healing! God does not promise that you will never get hurt, but He does promise that He will heal your hurt and it is through His healing of our hurts that we grow, become stronger and are able to have an influence on and make a difference in this life.

Faith Defeats Fear! Walls that are built out of fear can only be torn down out of faith!  If you want to grow and get the most out of life, then you must be willing to trust.  Start by trusting God – He loves you and has an amazing plan for your life.  Continue by trusting others that He has placed around you.  Some will be a great blessing and some will be a great blunder, but you will learn and grow every step of the way!

Tear It Up! Let’s get busy tearing down the walls, so that we can enjoy this great life that God has given us!  Go ahead and take a whack at the wall – you’ll be glad you did!

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Make The Decision!

Make A Decision!

I recently heard someone say:  “Decision Is Better Than Doubt!”  And it got me to thinking about how indecisive so many of us can be.  We can “think” something to death, but the actually ability to move thoughts into actions – this is where the real power to make a difference and have an impact come from!

I know that God made me!  I know that God has a plan for my life!  I know that His plan is for my blessing and His glory!  God does not want me to fail, but if He allows me to fail, then He will use my failure to educate and grow me.

God wants you to be filled with love, joy and peace!  These are special gifts that He offers to each one of us.  Don’t turn off God and His awesome gifts because of some bad example that has been set by some messed up human being living in the flesh.

Make a decision today to really know the real God!  This first decision will enable all of your other decisions to flow powerfully in the direction of His blessing.  Decision is better than doubt!  Remember:  To not decide is to decide!  You don’t have to spend the rest of your life wondering “what if?”

Take some time today to listen for the voice of the One who knows you better than you know yourself.  When you hear that voice – respond!  You will be glad you did!

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It’s Friday!

Is It Friday Yet?

When I was a lot younger, the older folks would always say:  “The older you get, the faster time goes by!”  I thought they were crazy, especially when I was waiting for Christmas to get here,  but as I am getting older myself, I am discovering that those folks knew exactly what they were talking about.

Another saying I used to hear a lot when I was younger was:  “Time flies when you’re having fun!”  If that’s the case, then I must be having a blast!  Time does seem to go faster now a days and if you are not careful, then you end up missing out.

Today is Friday!  Today is the day that God has made and given to you and me as a very special gift, so enjoy it.  Get the most out of it.  Take time to appreciate the people and things that this day brings across your path!  Seriously take some time to think about all that you have to be thankful for.  I know that we have a lot of challenges during the week, but take some time starting today and heading into the weekend to really appreciate what you have in your life that is right and good.  Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!  God Bless, Press On And G3!  (GIVE GOD GLORY!)