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.

Tree Trimming Lessons!

I love all the trees in our yard, but they sure do keep a man busy. I’m out this morning trimming up some fallen limbs and low hangers.

As I worked, I thought about how sometimes God does a little trimming in our lives too. He sees the things weighing us down, the habits keeping us from growing, and the distractions hanging low over our path. His work may not always feel easy, but He knows what needs to go so we can grow stronger and bear good fruit.

Jesus said, “Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” —John 15:2

So if the Lord is doing some trimming in your life, trust His hands. He knows what He’s doing.

Have a blessed Saturday, my friend. Press On!

The Power That Lives Within You!

Romans 8:11 says, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you…” he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Good morning, my friend.

Sometimes we forget just how much God has given us to face the day ahead. We look at our problems, our weaknesses, our fears, and our circumstances, and we think, “I just don’t know if I have what it takes.”

And the truth is, you may not.

But if you belong to Jesus, you have something far greater than your own strength. You have the Spirit of God living within you.

Think about that for a moment. The same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the grave dwells in every believer. That means you do not have to face today depending only on your strength, your wisdom, or your ability.

When you are weak, He is strong.

When you are confused, He can guide you.

When you are discouraged, He can renew you.

When you feel like you cannot take another step, He can give you strength for the next one.

Whatever you are facing today, remember this: God has not left you powerless. His Spirit lives within you.

So walk into this day with faith. Trust Him. Yield yourself to Him. And remember, the power that conquered the grave is still at work in you.

Keep going, my friend.

Listen To Hear!

Good morning, my friend.

Mark 4:9 says, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Now, Jesus wasn’t talking about whether you had two ears on the side of your head. He was talking about your heart.

There’s a big difference between hearing something and listening to something.

We can sit through a sermon and hear every word but never let it change us. We can read our Bible and finish the chapter but never stop long enough to ask, “Lord, what are You trying to say to me?”

Sometimes the problem isn’t that God isn’t speaking. The problem is that our lives have gotten so noisy that we aren’t listening.

We’ve got phones buzzing, schedules packed, minds racing, and voices coming at us from every direction.

But somewhere in the middle of all that noise, God is still speaking through His Word.

Maybe today you need to slow down for just a few minutes. Open your Bible. Quiet your heart. And pray, “Lord, I’m listening. Show me what I need to see.”

Because when God speaks, He’s not just giving us information. He’s inviting us into transformation.

Jesus said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

My friend, don’t just hear God’s Word today.

Listen to it. Receive it. And then live it.