en-us Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:16:42 -0500 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 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:12 -0500 417824 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 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:10 -0500 457192 You have the potential for greatness on the inside of you, but you will never rise above the image you have of yourself. When you start speaking words of victory, the power of those words will produce a new image in your mind and allow you to go even higher. Use your words to bless your life! Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:09 -0500 105907 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 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:09 -0500 130247 Joel Osteen Our memory has incredible power! The Bible clearly speaks to us about the best way we are to think of our past. When we use our memories for the right purposes it builds up our faith and brings hope to our lives. Scripture never tells us to dwell on our disappointments, to focus on our pains, or to think on our failures. Instead, God's Word encourages us again and again that we are to remember all of the great things that God has done for us. Let me encourage you to think back and remind yourself of all the victories God has led you to-a loving marriage, a good job, healthy children, an encouraging friend. Think on these things. Take time every day to thank God for all the good that is in your life-write them down and keep a record. Stop looking back to the pains of your past, and begin looking forward to the opportunities of your future. Because, as the Psalmist states, as we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts. Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:07 -0500 121971 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 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:06 -0500 137587 Do you remember the old saying; "You are what you eat"? Well in many ways that is true in every area of our life, spiritually, emotionally and physically. You can make changes in your diet today that will help you live a stronger and healthier tomorrow. The reason you may lack energy or deal with aches and pains could be the result of the foods you eat. Many times a small change will make a big difference. You can choose water over sodas, a walk around the block over watching TV and more nutritious snacks over junk food. Make the commitment today to honor God by taking care of His temple - your body! When you do, you'll look better and feel better. You'll be happier, healthier, and have the energy to do the things that God has uniquely called you to do. Religion & Spirituality Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:04 -0500 157316 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 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:04 -0500 143142 Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 434791 Everybody wants to make good choices. Should you take that new job? Should you go further in this relationship? How should you deal with a particular problem? But to make the best choices we need God's wisdom. Someone once said, \"You make your decisions and then your decisions make you.\" If you allow your choices to be guided by the wisdom of God, the direction you get from reading His Word and spending time in prayer, then you're going to experience true success. I have good news for you today! God wants to give you wisdom. Proverbs says that He will help you find the right course of action every time. Not some of the time; all of the time. Take time each day to listen to what God is saying to you. As you do, you'll make better decisions and you'll live the life of victory that God has in-store for you. Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 381351 Too often, when we have a need, we focus on it. It's all we talk about, all we think about. My problems, my bills, my health, my hurt, my pains. Rather than turning inward, we need to turn outward. If you're in tough times today, don't sit around depressed, go help somebody else. If you want God to solve your problems, go help solve somebody else's problems. Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 381350 God has placed dreams and desires in your heart. You may have promises that you're standing on, things that you believe will come to pass, and you're waiting for your dreams to be fulfilled. James 5:7 says, \"Be patient as you wait see how the farmer waits expectantly.\" Maybe you're waiting for a relationship to improve, waiting to get married or waiting for a promotion. As you do so, wait with expectancy. Instead of becoming discouraged or negative while you wait, begin expecting for God straighten out your path for your dream to come true. Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 400787 If you knew God was preparing to turn around a situation you're worrying about right now, then you would probably let out a big sigh of relief. You would relax and let go of all the pressure. Why don't you go ahead and do that now? Turn it completely over to God and stop trying to figure it all out. David said, \"I was young and now I'm old and I have never seen the righteous forsaken.\" Let God take care of it His way and He'll not only bring you out, but He'll bring you out better than you were before! Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 274801 Ephesians 5:18 says to 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 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 274802 A Leadership Moment with Marcos Witt was taught at the 2006 Lakewood Church Leaders in Ministry Conference. Lakewood Church Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 274800 God has a bright future for you! If the curtain were pulled back today so that you could look into His plans and desires for your life, you would see God opening doors to bring new opportunities across your path and His preparations for clearing away any obstacles that might hold you back. Jeremiah 29:11 is clear that God has a plan and a future for you, so let me encourage you today to turn your desires and plans over to God and say, \"I'm trusting You. I believe that You're in control and even though I may not see anything happening today, I believe You're working in my life.\" When you put your trust in God and allow Him to be in complete control, you'll have a life filled with greater peace, hope and the confidence that everything is going to be all right. Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 248407 2006-09-08 06:00:00 Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 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 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 199459 Pastor Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500185161 God's great plan for each of our lives is that we continually rise to new levels. We can grow to new heights by listening and being obedient to His Word. Ask the Lord if there are areas in your life that keep you from experiencing the very best He has for you. Then, listen carefully to see what changes He may be asking you to make. As you live according to His Word He will pour out blessings and favor in your life and He will take you places that you've never even dreamed of. Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 185360 Too many people go around feeling bad because they are listening to the wrong voices. The enemy is called the accuser of the brethren and there is nothing he would like more than for you to live your life feeling guilty and condemned. Don't make the mistake of receiving these accusations. The Apostle Paul said, "The things I know I should do, I don't. The things I know I shouldn't do, I end up doing." Even he struggled in this area and he wrote more than half of the New Testament! God is not displeased with you just because you don't perform perfectly one hundred percent of the time. When you go through setbacks in life, choose to receive God's mercy. Let go of the past and press forward with joy, confidence, and purpose. Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 228578 There's nothing like a good self-image based on healthy lifestyle choices and the confidence that comes from knowing you are accepted by the most important person of all, God! For many people, eating right, exercising, and avoiding the impulse to snack is a real challenge. If you're one of those people - or have a friend or family member who has that struggle - God wants you to have victory over your diet just like He wants you to succeed in every area of life. He will help you! Stay focused on the rewards: When you are at your ideal weight-not supermodel thin, but a weight that's realistically right for you--you will live healthier, stronger, and happier, with a better attitude. That's the life that God intended for you! Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 170431 We all have dreams and desires that we believe God will help to come to pass. These dreams are like seeds planted in the soil of our hearts and most of the time, they do not bloom overnight. Often, there is a period of waiting involved and this is when it is so easy to give up, become discouraged and to settle for mediocrity. But God never gives up on a dream. Once the seed is planted and the promise takes root, we may give up, but the seed is still in us. If you'll stir your faith up and start believing once again, then God can begin bring it to pass. Every time you give God praise, keep pressing on or have a smile on your face, you will water that seed. And if you do this, you'll allow God to give birth to your dreams and you'll live the life of victory He has in store. Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 439725 Your physical body is not only the house you live in; it's the house God lives in. When you treat your body--the one He made in His image--as valuable, you honor God. The scriptures talk about staying fit, sleeping well and even eating the right foods. How you take care of yourself physically has a great impact on your overall well-being. When you make changes for your health's sake, you'll live longer, live healthier, and experience the abundant life that God has in store for you! Joel Osteen Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:09:03 -0500 150479