en-us Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:33:23 -0400 God has given you the potential for greatness. When life is unfair and pushes you down, you have to get back up, brush yourself off and let the past be the past. Then you can give new life to the dreams God has put in your heart. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:18:20 -0400 417824 God's power is limited by only one thing: Your way of thinking. When we are worried, negative, or discouraged, it shows a lack of faith. The children of Israel were guilty of it. They saw first-hand his miracles but still questioned God when they were in the wilderness. Stir up your faith today and get out of that rut! It's time to stop thinking about what you can't do and start thinking about what God can do. No matter what you need, never ask, \"Can God?\" God can and God will. When you truly believe this, and keep an attitude of faith, you'll be at peace and expecting all of the good things that you inherit as God's child. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:18:18 -0400 130247 The words respect, honor, duty, integrity - we don't hear them much anymore. The Bible says, "He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life." We need to learn to be loyal to our spouse, to our family, our friends and even to our country. When we honor them with our loyalty, God will honor and bless us. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:18:15 -0400 457192 God is interested in every area of your life. Not just the big things, but the smaller things as well. God wants to help you be more productive at the office, help you raise your children, give you favor with your clients and protect you on the freeway. The key is that God will only be involved in as much of your life as you allow Him to be involved in. Proverbs 3:6 says to "...acknowledge God in all your ways." If you do this, then He will guide and direct your path. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:18:00 -0400 443023 Are there people in your life that you just can't make happy? You are not responsible for other people's happiness. While we should be givers, we shouldn't allow others to control us. Learn to set boundaries in your relationships so you can be all that God intended you to be. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:00:27 -0400 111004 Not only did Jesus die for our sins, but He also died so that we may live abundantly. Too many people go around with a weak defeated mentality. Instead, we need to understand the power of our covenant relationship with God means we have His protection, wisdom and favor. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:00:27 -0400 406706 One of the greatest attacks we face in the 21st Century is the attack on our homes. We need to stand up and fight for our families. To do that, we have to first commit our families to God, and then commit to our spouse to stay together. As parents, our children's future relies on the character they see in us. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:00:27 -0400 260178 http://www.lakewood.cc Too many people are sitting on the sidelines of life with no enthusiasm towards their future because they have made mistakes and experienced some setbacks. But, God is not looking for perfect people. If He were, we would all be disqualified. God is looking for people that have a heart that's right toward Him. If you have a heart that is seeking God and you wake up each day striving to do your best, then you do not have to live guilty and condemned. When those old thoughts come to mind saying, \"You don't deserve God's blessings,\" just respond with, \"You're exactly right. I know I don't deserve it, but that's what God's mercy is all about.\" The goodness of God will make miracles out of all your mistakes. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:59:34 -0400 587789 The people you choose to associate with and the people you choose as friends have tremendous impact on whether or not you fulfill your God-given destiny. You will become like the people you continually spend time with. If you associate with successful people, you increase your chances of being successful. If you associate with people who have a big vision, people who have big dreams, and people who are going places, they will inspire you to accomplish more than you ever thought possible! But remember, just the opposite is also true. If you hang around lazy, undisciplined people who are negative and critical, then their defeated mentality will affect you. That’s why it’s so important that you choose the right people to associate with. If you’ll be selective about whom you associate with, you will rise higher and higher. God will pour out His blessings and favor, and you’ll live the life of victory He has in store for you! Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:59:30 -0400 770120 Too often we expect the people in our lives to perform perfectly, to never disappoint us and to always be there for us. But no one is perfect and those are unrealistic expectations. There is no such thing as the perfect spouse, boss or friend. No matter how much others love you or how good they are, at some point, they are going to disappoint you or hurt your feelings. Instead of becoming resentful or bitter when others do not measure up, give them grace and understand that it is simply a part of life. Romans 12:16 says that we need to \"adapt and adjust in order to keep the peace.\" If you'll have the right expectations in your relationships and give others mercy, your relationships will begin to grow and God will honor you for doing your part. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:58:46 -0400 533503 Do you know that you have a God-given destiny? You are not an accident. God ordained before the foundation of the world that you would be here at this particular time. Jeremiah 29:11 says, \"These are the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.\" All through Scripture, you can read how God had a specific plan and purpose for each person's life. He told Elizabeth that she would give birth to John and that he would pave the way for Christ. He told Samson's mother that she was going to have a baby and gave her a specific plan for his life. In the same way, God began thinking about you long ago. He was planning out good things for your life, where you would be, what assignment you would have and the opportunities to bring across your path. As you continue to put your faith and hope in the Lord, there is nothing that can keep you from becoming all that God created you to be. You have a bright future ahead! Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:58:43 -0400 576601 Too often we only associate with people just like us, people that look like us, that have our same interests or have our same personalities. It's easy to include them because we feel comfortable. But what about the people that don't dress like us, the people that don't come from our same background or neighborhood? All too often we write them off and think, "They're not like me. They don't believe what I believe, they don't do the things that I like to do." I firmly believe that God put these people in our life for a reason. His love is inclusive, not exclusive. The Bible says that the same amount of mercy we show to other people is the amount of mercy God will show back to us. When you enlarge your circle of love to include all types of people, you are being merciful. Give people the benefit of the doubt. When they seem to shut you out, simply draw a larger circle and include them. When you do, you will be expressing the unconditional love of Jesus and God will make sure His mercy and compassion is extended back to you. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:58:07 -0400 627094 Do you know that you can be someone else's miracle? Galatians 6:10 says, \"As occasion and opportunity arise, let us do good for all people.\" This means that whenever you have the opportunity to do good or whenever you're able to be a blessing to others, don't pass it up. When you wake up each morning ask God to show you someone you can bless that day. Ask Him to bring somebody across your path that has a need and then walk out of your home looking for ways to do good. It may not be something big - just a smile here, an encouraging word there, buying somebody's dinner or giving somebody a ride. Choose to focus on living to give. When you do, you'll find that it's one of the most rewarding and God honoring ways for you to live. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:58:05 -0400 647241 Marcos Witt Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:58:04 -0400 674605 Your will is stronger than your emotions. Instead of living by how you feel, live by what you know. Let me remind you that God is in control, He has a great plan for your life, and His power is greater than any other power. When you begin to have negative or discouraging feelings, shake them off. Even when you do not feel like it, choose to rule over that negative feeling anyway. Tell yourself: I'm going to be steady, immovable, and full of joy regardless of my circumstances. The more you do so, the easier it will become. Today, decide to be a more stable person and begin enjoying life - all of it! Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:56:44 -0400 143142 God is interested in every area of your life. Not just the big things, but the smaller things as well. God wants to help you be more productive at the office, help you raise your children, give you favor with your clients and protect you on the freeway. The key is that God will only be involved in as much of your life as you allow Him to be involved in. Proverbs 3:6 says to "...acknowledge God in all your ways." If you do this, then He will guide and direct your path. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:56:41 -0400 274802 A little over two thousand years ago they crucified Jesus on the cross, buried Him in a grave and thought that was the end of it. But, on the third day He arose and said, "Because I live, you will live also." Jesus was not just talking about breathing and merely existing. He was talking about living an abundant life. Not a barely get by life or a life filled with bad habits, addictions, lack and mediocrity. Because of the price He paid, we can live a life of victory. Some people are living with things that are far less than God's best. Let me encourage you today to draw the line in the sand and say, "That's it. This is a new day. I'm going to take hold of everything Christ died and rose again to accomplish." Make up your mind not to settle for partial victory. Rise up and have faith! As you do, God will help you overcome any obstacle standing in your way. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:55:49 -0400 609914 2006-09-08 06:00:00 Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:55:25 -0400 216310 You and God are a majority! Instead of looking at what you cannot do, begin to look at what God can do. All Moses had was a rod and God used it to part the Red Sea. All David had was a slingshot and God used it to defeat Goliath. All one little boy had was a fish and a few loaves of bread and God used it to feed thousands. When we come to the end of our natural ability, that's when God's supernatural ability kicks in. Take your eyes of your circumstances and focus on the One that can turn everything around. If you want to see God take you to places you've never dreamed of and if you want to see him work supernaturally in your life, then you need to step out of your comfort zone. Dare to take a step of faith and follow God where He is leading you. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:55:21 -0400 199459 http://www.joelosteen.com Do you ever feel like you are limited by the system of this world? You go to work, get a paycheck, and that determines your limits. Maybe you have dreams and desires, but you don’t feel like you have the right connections. Or maybe you don’t have the right education. It’s tempting to think, “I’ll never rise any higher. I’m limited to the system that I’m in.” But you have to remember, God likes to go outside the system! He likes to do unusual, extraordinary things. You may have a dream in your heart that’s bigger than your finances. It’s bigger than your education, bigger than anything that your family has ever done. And it’s easy to think, “Well, I don’t have the expertise. I don’t have the connections. I don’t have the right people behind me.” It may be bigger than your system but be encouraged today. You may not have the right connections but you have God�'you and God are a majority! Your dream is not dependent on other people. God loves to take ordinary people and use them to do extraordinary things. You have not seen your best days yet. No matter where you are in life, no matter what environment you’re in, no matter how impossible your dreams may seem. You need to know God already has a plan. He already has a way. If you will stay in faith God will go outside the system and take you places that you never thought possible! He’ll take you way beyond your system and you live the life of victory He has in store! Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:54:23 -0400 1064310 Are there people in your life that you just can't make happy? You are not responsible for other people's happiness. While we should be givers, we shouldn't allow others to control us. Learn to set boundaries in your relationships so you can be all that God intended you to be. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:53:19 -0400 422261 How you begin your day usually determines the kind of day you experience. If you begin your day in a hurry, rushing from one task to another or stressed out, often you will become uptight and stay on the edge the rest of the day. In the Bible, David says, \"Early in the morning, my song will rise to You.\" If you're going to be your best and live life to the full, then God needs to receive the first part of your day. Before the stress and busyness comes, before you read the newspaper and before you think about all you have to do, take time to thank God for His goodness. Read the Scriptures, meditate on His promises and speak words of victory over your life. When you do this, you're giving God your first fruits and he'll walk with you the rest of the day! Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:49:01 -0400 497021 It’s important to develop good habits in life. A habit is something that you do without thinking about it and you may do it for so long that it almost becomes involuntary. Studies say that ninety percent of your normal behavior is based on your habits. For example, you have habits that determine how you treat people, how you spend money, what you watch and what you listen to. Some people have developed habits that are keeping them from God’s best. But, you can learn how to develop God honoring habits that will help you live the kind of life that God intended. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:48:59 -0400 478945 http://www.joelosteen.com God has already released good things into your future. When God laid out the plan for your life, He lined up the right people, the right circumstances, and the right breaks. In your future, He's already released favor, supernatural opportunities, and divine connections. The breaks you need in life have already been preordained to come across your path. If you will stay in faith and go out each day and be a person of excellence, you'll walk into these appointments of favor. It will be just as if you stumbled into God's blessings! When you really understand this principal, you'll begin to get excited about every sing day! You'll have a spring in your step as you think about what blessing is coming next! It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be next week. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Stay focused on the fact that God has already released into your future everything you need to fulfill your destiny. Start declaring seasons of increase over your life. Declare that the favor is on you and opportunities are coming. As you do, you'll move forward into the favor and blessing God has ordered for you! Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:47:47 -0400 843390 http://www.joelosteen.com Everyone has times in life when they receive criticism from others. Someone may be talking about you, trying to make you look bad or blowing things out of proportion. Don’t sink down to their level, become defensive and try to prove that you are right and they are wrong. When you encounter criticism, shake it off and let it go. This is what Jesus told his disciples. He sent them out to different towns to teach people and care for their needs, but Jesus knew they would suffer rejection. In Matthew 10:14, Jesus said, “When you go into a town, whoever will not receive and welcome your message, when you leave that place, shake the dust off of your feet.” In other words, let God be your vindicator. Everyone will not understand you or accept you so just run your race and stay focused on what God has called you to do. Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:47:45 -0400 520582 http://www.joelosteen.com God desires that you be so blessed that you can turn around and be a blessing everywhere you go! He wants you to have so much peace, so much joy, so much victory that when other people get around you it spills over onto them! In the book of Psalms, David said, “My cup runs over.” He was overflowing with the anointing�'the tangible, effective power of God. Too many people today have a barely-get-by-mentality. They settle for thoughts like, “I can barely pay my bills…I have an okay job…I have an okay marriage.” But Jesus came so we can live an abundant life! That means an abundance of joy, an abundance of peace, an abundance of health, an abundance of finances. You may not see it right now, and maybe you haven’t experienced it in the past, but don’t get complacent and just settle for where you are. Get a vision for your future! Get a vision for increase! Get a vision for Abundance! Psalm 35:27 says, “Let them say continually, ‘Let the Lord be magnified Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His children.’” God delights to see you prosperous and successful. When you choose to think God’s thoughts and choose God’s way, you’ll see that increase and victory in every area of your life. Now is the time to move forward and live the abundant life God has planned for you! Joel Osteen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:47:39 -0400 864972