Quotes from Joel Osteen

Faith is easy; I think people complicate it.

I don't go down the road of condemning.

When my dad founded our church, he used either a globe or a map of the world behind him. It was symbolic of what Christ said: to go forth and preach hope to the world. We believe in the cross, but we just continued with the globe.

To become a better you, you must be positive towards yourself, develop better relationships, embrace the place where you are.

People define Christianity differently. I think a large portion of our population are Christians, they're not all growing in their faith, they're not all active, but I believe that a lot of people believe in Jesus and believe that he is their Lord and Savior.

We think when God speaks to us, there's going to be a boom out of Heaven or we're going to get some chill bumps, but I really believe God's talking to us all the time. He's talking to us right in here. I call it our heart, our conscience, but it's the Holy Spirit talking to us.

The facts may tell you one thing. But, God is not limited by the facts. Choose faith in spite of the facts.

You have to accept the fact that some people are never going to be for you. Treat them with respect, but you don't need their approval to fulfill your destiny.

It's amazing what people will do when you see the best in them, when you honor them, when you respect them. It not only strengthens the relationship, but it will help that other person rise higher.

Some things you can only learn in the struggle. When it's easy, when everything is going your way, that doesn't take any faith.

Difficult times don't come your way just so you can survive them; God uses these times in your life to form and refine you.

Never put a question mark where God has put a period. When something is over and done, let it go and move on to the next chapter of your life.

The more you talk about negative things in your life, the more you call them in. Speak victory not defeat.

Fear and faith have something in common. They both ask us to believe in something we cannot see.

At this very moment, God's working behind the scenes in your life, arranging things in your favor. Stay in faith!

Life is going by. Don't waste a minute being negative, offended, or bitter. Choose to be happy.

I like sports, and I enjoy playing basketball and lifting weights.

Whether a person is straight or gay, Republican, Democrat, good person, not a good person, they're all welcome, because to me, church is a place you're supposed to get healed and whole and loved.

I deal with more practical issues of the Bible.

I don't want to just preach to the church. I feel like I have a broader message.

I didn't try to copy my dad or fit into the pressure or the mold that everybody tried to make me fit into.

I think how you start the day many times determines what kind of day you're going to have.

I believe God wants you to have money to pay your bills, send your kids to college and do charity work and build orphanages. There's the teaching that we're supposed to be poor to show that we're humble. I don't buy that. I think we're supposed to be leaders. We're supposed to excel.

You were created to make somebody else's life better. Somebody needs your smile. They need your love, your encouragement & your gifts.