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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Right Direction!

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One of my friends and a member of the church I pastor took this photo:  Brian at Reel Video And Stills

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You can read our church tag line on the sign it says “Helping You Find The Right Direction In Life!”  Everyone knows that the right direction is away from the fire!  What a great visual reminder of the task that God has given us as a church!  We tend to want to make it about so much other stuff, but the truth is our task is simple, so let’s get busy “Helping People Find The Right Direction!”

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Awards!

This morning I am sitting in the cafeteria of the school where Gracie my eight year old attends.  I am waiting for awards day to begin.  They have an awards day every nine weeks to celebrate perfect attendance, grade improvements and exceptional reading.  Gracie and a lot of other kids from our church will be getting some of these awards and they are all very excited!

It is good for all us to remember that as we live life here on this earth that we are getting a grade.  The Bible says that God’s eyes are going back and forth across the lands looking for someone/anyone who is being faithful and living in obedience.  Let’s remember that all of us are still in school and there is much to learn!  What can you learn today?  How can you use what you have learned to show God obedience and show others His glory?  Let’s get busy and grow our lives today!

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Inside-Outside!

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Jesus said in Matthew 15:  “What comes out of your mouth reveals what is in your heart!”  This is such a powerful statement!  Think about it:  Whatever is in you is coming out of you and whatever comes out of you is going to reveal what is really in you!  Have you ever taken the time to really listen to yourself?  What are you saying and what is (what you are saying) saying about you and the condition of your heart?  I don’t really know about you, but I know that I’ve got some work to do!

I want to share just one more thought before I go to work on myself.  Not only do we need to be concerned with what is coming out, but we need to also pay attention to what we are putting in.  Think about the destructive words that you allow into you heart and mind everyday through radio, television, gossip and just general conversation.  We need to do all that we can to cut out this destructive stuff.  And we need to make sure that we are filling ourselves with the positive stuff of God and His Word.

It really is a simple equation:  My Life – the bad/negative/physical/self + the good/positive/spiritual/Godly = Power & Blessing!  Let’s get rid of the bad stuff of this world and replace it with the good stuff of God, so that when something does come out of us – it gives God GLORY!