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.

Just A Reminder!

Remember that prayer that became popular a few years ago?  Still need a little help?  The Prayer of Jabez found in 1 Chronicles 4:10!  I thought about it today and it has always been a good prayer and still is today!  It goes:  “Bless me indeed, enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.”

Remember:  God wants to bless you!  Everything belongs to God and He has given you a great big universe to run around and serve Him in.  He wants His hand upon you – so stop running away from Him.  He is here to help you, not to hurt you!  He wants to keep you away from evil, but you have to remember to help yourself.  And when you do help yourself by obeying Him, you will free yourself, as well as others from a lot of pain!

I hope you have a blessed weekend!

Sacrificial Love!

Do you like surprises?  I love surprises!  Well – let me rephrase that:  I like good surprises!  And as I was going through my mail this morning,  I got one of those good surprises!  No – it was not “Publishers Clearing House”!  It was a small package from one of my church members.  When I opened it, I found a little book for pastors.  And inside of the book was a hand written note that expressed encouragement, appreciation and love!  IT MADE MY DAY!

I think one of the reasons that this was such a special blessing to me was because of the sacrifice that I know that this person had to make!  First, they sacrificed their time to think about me and then go through the motions of buying, packaging and mailing their special gift.  Second, they sacrificed themselves by not just thinking about doing a nice thing, but actually doing it!  Third, they sacrificed their resources to buy and mail this gift!  They were not content with just saying “I love and appreciate you!”  they wanted to show it in a real and tangible way!

I could not help but to stop and think about the love of Jesus for you and me!  It was a sacrificial love!  Real love is a sacrificial love!  Real love is willing to sacrifice for the one that the love is being expressed toward!  Think about your love for Jesus – how can you sacrifice for Him today?  Jesus said:  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.  (John 13:35)  Think about the people that you love – what kinds of sacrifices can you make for them this week that will express your love in a real way?  Now, don’t just think about it – DO IT!