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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What You’re Going Through Won’t Compare to What’s Coming!

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” -Romans 8:18 (KJV)

Friend, if you are walking through a difficult season today, I want to remind you that what you are experiencing right now is not the end of your story.

The Apostle Paul knew something about suffering. He endured persecution, imprisonment, hardships, and heartache. Yet he could boldly say, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Notice those words: this present time. Your pain is real, but it is temporary. Your tears may last for a season, but God’s promises last forever. The burden you carry today cannot compare to the joy, peace, and glory God has prepared for those who love Him.

Sometimes we focus so much on what we are going through that we forget where we are going. As believers, our hope is not anchored in our circumstances. Our hope is anchored in Christ. He is with us in the valley, He strengthens us in the struggle, and He promises a future far greater than anything we leave behind.

So do not give up. Do not let discouragement have the final word. Keep trusting God when you cannot see the whole picture. Keep praying when the answers seem delayed. Keep walking by faith.

Because one day, you will look back and discover that God’s glory far outweighed your greatest trial.

And until that day, remember this: What you are going through is temporary, but what God has prepared for you is eternal. Hold on. God is not finished with you yet.

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When Faith Flows Like A River!

“But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” -Amos 5:24 (KJV)

Friend, God has always been more interested in the condition of our hearts than the appearance of our religion. In the days of Amos, the people were going through the motions of worship. They sang the songs, offered the sacrifices, and observed the ceremonies. Yet God looked beyond all of that and said, “Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”

In other words, God desires lives that reflect His character every single day. He wants justice that is fair, compassion that is genuine, and righteousness that is not occasional, but constant—like a river that never runs dry.

I believe one of the greatest testimonies a Christian can have is not simply what we say on Sunday, but how we live on Monday. It is choosing honesty when dishonesty would be easier. It is showing kindness when others are unkind. It is standing for what is right even when it is unpopular.

The beautiful truth is this: God does not ask us to produce this kind of life in our own strength. As we walk closely with Jesus, His Spirit shapes our hearts and causes His righteousness to flow through us.

So today, ask yourself this simple question: Is God’s love flowing through my life like a mighty stream? If not, draw near to Him. The closer you are to Jesus, the more His grace, His goodness, and His righteousness will overflow into every area of your life.

And friend, a life that flows with God’s righteousness is a life that makes an eternal difference.