Joel Osteen

You may make some mistakes - but that doesn't make you a sinner. You've got the very nature of God on the inside of you.

Most people already know what they're doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change.

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.

Sometimes God will deliver you from the fire, and other times God will make you fireproof.

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.

God's got you in the palm of His hand. You won't leave one second before your time. If God wants you to be here, then you're going to be here.

People in tough times - it doesn't mean they don't have a great attitude.

A lot of churches have not moved with the times.

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?

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.

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.

The death of my father is probably the biggest thing that I ever faced. Daddy and I were best friends.