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.

God’s Way!

Friend, Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Isn’t that a breath of fresh air? We live in a world that tells us to hustle harder, plan smarter, and push longer—but God says the secret isn’t in striving, it’s in surrendering. When you roll your plans, your dreams, and even your daily to-do list over to Him, He takes the weight off your shoulders and straightens out the path before you.

It’s like setting out on a long trip in your Jeep without a map. You can drive, guess, and waste a lot of fuel—or you can plug the destination into the GPS and follow the guide. When you let God be the Guide, He gives clarity where there was confusion, peace where there was pressure, and direction where there was just distraction.

So today, don’t just grind through your work. Give it to the Lord. Whisper a prayer before you send that email, start that project, or walk into that meeting. Put it in His hands, and watch Him establish your steps. Because when God writes the plan, you don’t just survive the journey—you arrive at the destination He designed for you.

Kindness!

Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Friend, that verse is like a compass for the Christian life. Kindness is not weakness—it’s strength under control. Tenderheartedness doesn’t mean you’re soft—it means your heart is sensitive to God and to people. And forgiveness? That’s where the real power is. When you forgive, you’re not saying what happened was okay—you’re saying you refuse to let bitterness chain you down.

Think about it: God didn’t forgive you because you earned it. He forgave you for Christ’s sake. That means His mercy is the model and the motivation for how we treat others. So today, when the enemy tempts you to hold a grudge, when someone rubs you the wrong way, remember the cross. Remember how much you’ve been forgiven. Then pass it on.

Kindness heals. Tender hearts open doors. Forgiveness sets people free. That’s not just good advice—that’s the gospel in action.

God With You!

Sometimes life feels like you’re standing at the edge of something bigger than you can handle. Maybe it’s a decision you’ve got to make, a battle you didn’t choose, or a season that feels uncertain. Fear whispers, “You’re on your own.” Doubt says, “You can’t make it.” But listen to the promise of Deuteronomy 31:8—“And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

That means before you ever step into tomorrow, God is already there. He’s already cleared the path, already fought the battles, already lined up the provision you need. He doesn’t just send you—He goes with you. And He doesn’t just go with you—He promises never to leave.

So when you feel overwhelmed, remember this: your confidence isn’t in your strength, it’s in His presence. Your hope isn’t in what you see, but in Who walks beside you. The same God who led Israel through the wilderness is the same God leading you through your wilderness today.

Friend, you don’t have to face what’s ahead with fear or discouragement. You can face it with faith and courage—because the Lord is with you, He will not fail you, and He will not forsake you. Walk forward, knowing your God has already gone before you.