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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Grateful?

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One Of The Men That I Am Thankful For!

What are you grateful for? You should be able to come up with a pretty long list of relationships, events, possessions and blessings.  The truth is that most of us that live in the United States have an abundance that usually far outweigh our memory.  I think that sometimes I allow all of my many blessings to get in the way of my being thankful.  I hate to admit it, but I have at times allowed my much to get in the way of my being thankful.  It was not on purpose.  It’s just that I have so much to be thankful for that I sometimes get to focused on the wrong stuff and forget where it all comes from.

I sometimes forget to be thankful! I want to be full of joy and I should be full of joy and thanksgiving.  God has been very good to me.  Even when I have a problem, I never have to face it by myself, because God is always right here with me.  When I really stop to take the time to think about being thankful, then God fills me with his joy.

Thank You God for the good and the bad! Thank you for being with me in all situations and circumstances!  I love You and I am so glad that you allow me to be Your child!  Thank you for reminding me to be thankful and help me this month to grow my “THANKS-GIVING!”

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You Are Special!

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Gracie on Winter Life-Guard Duty!

You are special and you do matter! It does not really matter what anyone else thinks or what they have to say.  Life is tough and it seems to be getting tougher, but you are a special creation of God.  There is not another you anywhere.  Don’t let this world or the tough situations of life get you down.  Don’t allow anyone else to count you out!

 

Get up and get going! God has an amazing plan for your life and God will take the bad, frustrating and discouraging and use it for your good as you trust and love living in Him.

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Enjoy Your Treasure!

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Hope With Some Homemade P-Nut Butter!As you wander through this life, you will stumble across many treasures. Some will be found easily and some will require much effort.  Treasures are not placed along life’s path by accident.  Treasures are placed on you path on purpose and for a purpose by our Creator and they are intended for our blessing and growth.

I often wonder how many treasures I have missed out on, because I was not paying attention. I missed out because I was not paying attention, or maybe because the treasure did not look like what I think a treasure is supposed to look like.

When you come upon one of God’s treasures and you know it’s one of His treasures, from the very moment of its discovery, your life begins to change. You develop a different focus, dreams and goals.  Your whole approach to life changes and so does the way that you live!

Treasure is important because it always carries with it the capacity to change our lives. Matthew 13:44 says:  “The Kingdom Of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.  When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

One of the greatest treasures that God has given us is the treasure of a Kingdom Relationship. God does not give us this relationship because we deserve it.  God gives us this relationship out of GRACE, in MERCY and through FORGIVENESS!  Because God gives it, the Kingdom Relationship should change our lives.  It should change who we are, how we live, what we do, where we go and the why of everything.

Don’t waste your Kingdom Relationship! Do whatever it takes to protect it, grow it and share it!  Remember:  Your relationship with God is a treasure and a treasure should bring blessing!