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.

Control Is An Illusion!

“You can have faith or you can have control, but you can’t have both.”

That quote gives us something to think about tonight. How often do we wear ourselves out trying to control what only God can handle? We replay the conversation, worry about tomorrow, and try to figure out every possible outcome.

Faith doesn’t mean we stop caring or doing our part. It means we trust God with the parts we cannot control.

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Tonight, you don’t have to solve every problem before you rest. You can bring your concerns to the Lord, ask Him for wisdom, and place the outcome in His hands. He sees what you cannot see, and He is faithful even when the way ahead is unclear.

So take a deep breath. Let go of what you were never meant to carry alone. You may need to surrender it again tomorrow, but for tonight, trust God with it.

May the Lord give you peace, quiet your anxious thoughts, and help you rest in His care.

Press on, my friend. You don’t have to be in control when you know the One who is.

Get Dressed For Battle!

Good morning, my friend!

Have you ever noticed that you dress according to what you expect to face?

If it’s raining, you grab a raincoat. If it’s cold, you put on a jacket. If you’re working outside, you wear clothes that can handle the job.

Well, the Bible reminds us that every day we need to get spiritually dressed too!

Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Notice Paul didn’t say if you face a battle.

He tells us to get dressed because the battle is already happening!

The enemy would love to discourage you, distract you, tempt you, and convince you that God has forgotten about you.

But friend, God hasn’t sent you into the battle empty-handed!

He has given you everything you need to stand.

Truth for the lies.

Righteousness for the temptation.

Faith for the fear.

Salvation for the doubt.

The Word of God for the attack.

And prayer to keep you connected to the One who gives you strength!

So before you walk out the door today, make sure you’re dressed for more than the weather.

Put on the whole armor of God!

You may not know what you’re going to face today, but you can know this:

You don’t have to face it unprepared, and you certainly don’t have to face it alone!

Suit up, stand firm, and keep walking with Jesus.

God’s got you!

God Goes With You!

God Will Go With You!

You don’t have to know exactly where you’re going when you know Who is going with you!

Good morning, my friend!

Exodus 33:14 says, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”

Moses was facing a journey he could not handle on his own. There were decisions to make, people to lead, problems to face, and an uncertain road ahead.

And God didn’t promise Moses that the road would always be easy.

He promised something better.

His presence!

Friend, maybe you’re facing something today and you don’t know exactly how it’s going to work out.

Maybe you’ve got a decision you need to make.

Maybe you’re carrying something that has been weighing heavy on your heart.

Maybe you’re wondering, “Lord, how am I going to get through this?”

Remember what God told Moses:

“My presence shall go with thee.”

You may not have all the answers, but you have His presence.

You may not see the whole road, but God is already ahead of you.

And notice the promise that follows:

“I will give thee rest.”

Real rest doesn’t come from having everything figured out.

It comes from knowing you don’t have to walk through it alone.

So whatever today holds, walk into it with confidence.

God is with you.
God is ahead of you.
And God will give you the grace you need when you get there.

Keep trusting Him.

Keep walking with Him.