Quotes from Joel Osteen

When you get up and say, "God, I want to thank you for being alive, I've got family, I've got my health," you're going to draw in more of the good things from God.

My daddy tried to get me up to speak for the 17 years that I worked behind the scenes, but I never had the desire. Naturally, I was nervous and kind of shy. I just didn't want to do it.

I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.

Mormonism is a little different, but I still see them as brothers in Christ.

The ultimate connection is when you are connected to the creator of the universe.

We live in a culture that relishes tearing others down. It's ultimately more fulfilling, though, to help people reach their goals. Instead of feeling jealous, remember: If God did it for them, He can do it for you.

Every twenty-four hours God has a fresh new supply of grace, of favor, of wisdom, of forgiveness.

When people are around us, they should leave better off than they were previously. Rather than feeling discouraged or defeated, people should feel challenged and inspired after spending any time with you and me.

The marriage partner is not really the problem. No other person can ultimately make you happy. You must learn how to be happy within yourself.

A lot of churches have not moved with the times.

Sometimes when you take strong stands, if you're not called to do it, you're dividing the audience you're trying to reach.

Gays are some of the nicest, kindest, most loving people in the world.

It's easy to get negative because you get beat down. You go through a few disappointments and it's easy to stay in that negative frame of mind. Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is a whole cliche, but your attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life.

I wouldn't ever say if you're having tough times then there must be something wrong with you or your attitude. Life's a fight. It's a good fight of faith. I encourage people to stay up, stay hopeful, stay faith-filled.

Encouragement to others is something everyone can give. Somebody needs what you have to give. It may not be your money; it may be your time. It may be your listening ear. It may be your arms to encourage. It may be your smile to uplift. Who knows?

Don't live worried, frustrated or upset because of what somebody did or what didn't work out. Come back to a place of peace. It's not going to work against you; it's going to work for you.

I believe God, Jesus, died that we not just go to Heaven but that we excel in this life. I never think you make money your goal... God wants you to excel. Just keep Him in first place, and God will open up doors you never dreamed of.

I always try to put a seed of hope into people's hearts. I'm not there to teach them doctrine necessarily, but to let them know that God is a good God, and has a plan for their lives. Hopefully, that will restore their faith, or draw them into faith.

I believe that when you think of the negative, and you get up discouraged – 'There's nothing good in my future' – I really believe it almost ties the hands of God. God works where there's an attitude of faith. I believe faith is all about hope.

I really believed that fear is contagious.

I think faith is incredibly important because you will become overwhelmed with what's happening and you will have waves of grief, but when you turn to your faith, I believe God will give you waves of grace to get through it.

Don't ever criticize yourself. Don't go around all day long thinking, 'I'm unattractive, I'm slow, I'm not as smart as my brother.' God wasn't having a bad day when he made you… If you don't love yourself in the right way, you can't love your neighbour. You can't be as good as you are supposed to be.

"Bottom line: God will not allow any person to keep you from your destiny. They may be bigger, stronger, or more powerful, but God knows how to shift things around and get you to where you're supposed to be."

"God made you a masterpiece – be blessed, secure, disciplined and equipped."