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.

I Love Sundays!

I love Sundays!  I love getting up in the morning and getting everything ready to help people to get ready for the next week of their lives.  That is kinda how I see Sundays.  We go to church to worship God and thank Him for the week that He just gave us and to ask Him for strength, guidance and direction for the week to come!  Sundays are very busy for me – they start early and end late, but they are very fulfilling.  I begin the day by praying as I get things ready (lights on, doors open, materials in place).  I then get to interact with brothers and sisters from every walk of life.  We sing, pray and worship together and I share a message that God has birthed in my heart.  When God puts something in you, there is am amazing fulfillment that comes when you get it out and share it with others.  The possibilities of seeing people’s lives and love as it changes and grows is something that words cannot explain!

Well, I gotta go – I’ve got lots to do to get ready, but I can already tell – it’s going to be an amazing day!  I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in our lives today!  Look forward to it and you might just be surprised at what God will do in your life!

The Gift Of Grace!

God has blessed us with an amazing gift called grace!  I believe that we all need to experience the deep, profund and amazing grace of God in our lives.  Grace that we find outside of ourselves, not that we manufacture to make ourselves feel better about life.  Grace that comes when we call on God, seek Him  and discover that real grace is so much more than a word, it is a gift revealed by God through His love, Word and interaction with His creation!

We are all searching for something that will satisfy the hunger of our lives and Spirit.  We are looking to connect with something or someone that will sustain us through the difficulties and support us in whatever life situation we may encounter!  There are so many people that just can’t believe that God can care for them – they feel unworthy and cannot bring themselves to the place of experiencing forgiveness.

Yet, there is a stirring in every person’s spirit.  A stirring that invites each and everyone of us to experience the amazing gift of God’s grace, forgiveness, love and acceptance.  God loves us and that love says that we are worth something!  It is through grace that our hearts are mended and our lives are put back together.  God will strengthen our spirit, renew our life and make us stronger!  Enjoy the gift!

More Talk To Yourself!

I am without limits in every area of life!  God has made it possible for me to move through life experiencing and sharing blessing every moment of every day!  The choices I make are only limited by the faith that I possess!  I make my decisons based on what I believe God wants for me, not based on what others say or try and manipulate.  God has given me the ability to invite others into this experience of blessing that I am living in.  I am prospering, experiencing good health and enjoying growing relationships.

God says that I can have everlasting and abundant life and I make the choice to have faith and believe Him!  God is not limited by anything or anybody.  He is more than enough and has more than enough for everyone, everywhere to live in blessing!  I see Him all around me.  I want Him and His blessing in my life.  I trust Him to do what He has promised He would do – to and through me!

I choose His blessing not because I want to stockpile for myself, but because I want to be used by Him to bless others!  God’s unlimited supply of good things will flow to me and through me, if I am open and willing!  I am blessed to have people around me that I like and that like me.  I am thankful for people that help me to grow and allow me to help them!  It is a great blessing to be able to interact with others.  I enjoy conversation, laughing and appreciate what God has created in others that make them unique and different.  And in return they enjoy their interaction with me.  My goal is to appreciate and not criticize.

I am invgorated with life!  I am healthy and growing in all areas:  spiritual, mental, physical, emotional and financial!  Today is a glorious day!  God allows me to use my physical brain, while accessing His supernatural power.  I am at a great place in my life here on earth and I set out today to look for the good things of God.  I bring the good stuff of God into my life, while ignoring and leaving the bad behind!

I will enjoy and grow in this day!