Podcast Summary: Joel Osteen Podcast – "Build Your Altar"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Joel Osteen Podcast
• Host/Author: Joel Osteen, Victoria Osteen
• Platform: SiriusXM
• Episode: Build Your Altar
• Release Date: June 9, 2025

Introduction

In the June 9, 2025 episode of the Joel Osteen Podcast titled "Build Your Altar," Joel and Victoria Osteen delve into the profound spiritual practice of building altars as a means to acknowledge and celebrate God's intervention in our lives. The episode emphasizes gratitude, faith, and the transformative power of recognizing divine blessings.

Building Your Altar: The Core Message

Understanding the Purpose of an Altar

Joel Osteen begins by illustrating the concept of an altar through biblical narratives, emphasizing that altars were not merely physical structures but symbolic acts of gratitude and remembrance. He shares, “When these things happened, the people took time to build an altar, to thank God for what he had done” (05:15).

Personal Testimonies and Biblical Examples

Joel recounts various biblical stories to underscore his message:

• Noah’s Altar:

  • Story: After surviving the great flood, Noah immediately built an altar to thank God.
  • Insight: Joel highlights Noah’s prioritization of gratitude over immediate needs, stating, “The first thing Noah did was build an altar. He took time to thank God that they made it” (10:45).

• Abraham’s Faith:

  • Story: Abraham builds an altar before the fulfillment of God's promises.
  • Insight: This act of faith exemplifies trusting in God’s promises even when they seem delayed. Joel remarks, “Don’t wait for the promise to come to pass. But thank God in advance for what he said he would do” (19:30).

• Jacob’s Reconciliation:

  • Story: Jacob builds an altar after reconciling with Esau, demonstrating forgiveness and gratitude.
  • Insight: Joel uses this to show how building an altar can lead to healing and restoration. He states, “When you're constantly building altars, recognizing God's goodness, thanking him for what he's done, it's not just affecting you. It's affecting your children, your grandchildren” (24:10).

Modern-Day Application

Joel urges listeners to incorporate the practice of building altars into their daily lives, whether physically or metaphorically. He explains, “Today. We don't have to do it physically like they did. It's simply acknowledging God's goodness” (22:05).

• Examples of Modern Altars:
  • Daily Gratitude: Taking a moment each day to thank God for specific blessings.
  • Recognizing Protection and Favor: Acknowledging times when God provided protection or unexpected opportunities.

Joel shares his personal experiences, including building an altar on his 39th birthday to express gratitude for another year of life and the blessings received. He says, “Lord, thank you for bringing me through another year. Thank you for giving me favor, opening new doors, blessing my family, keeping me healthy” (27:15).

Key Themes and Insights

1. Gratitude as a Foundation of Faith:

   • Building altars is a tangible expression of thankfulness, reinforcing faith and acknowledging God’s active role in one’s life.

2. Recognition of Divine Intervention:

   • Identifying and celebrating instances where God has provided protection, favor, or breakthroughs serves as a reminder of His omnipresence and faithfulness.

3. Strengthening Faith Through Remembrance:

   • Reflecting on past blessings builds a reservoir of faith, making it easier to trust God with future challenges and promises.

4. Encouraging Generational Faith:

   • By building altars, believers not only strengthen their own faith but also set a spiritual example for future generations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joel Osteen: “This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do.” (03:50)

• Joel Osteen: “We can all look back in life and see times where God made a way. He protected us from an accident. He sustained us in a slow time, promoted us when we didn't deserve it, strengthened us when we were weak or brought us through that loss.” (05:00)

• Joel Osteen: “When you pause to say, God, I recognize this didn't happen on my own. This is your goodness. Thank you for your favor. Thank you for your mercy, Lord, I'm grateful for what you've done. That's building an altar.” (13:20)

• Joel Osteen: “Don't take things for granted and get so busy that we don't recognize the blessing of God.” (16:45)

• Joel Osteen: “When you look back at the great things he's done, that's fuel for your faith. That makes it easier to build those altars.” (25:50)

• Joel Osteen: “Don't wait for the promise to come to pass. But thank God in advance for what he said he would do.” (19:55)

• Joel Osteen: “When God sees you at the altar, when he hears you thanking him, praising him, declaring his goodness, that's when angels go to work. That's when doors will open.” (21:30)

• Joel Osteen: “Build your altar. Lord, thank you for that land. Thank you for giving me that child. Thank you for promoting me. Thank you for your supernatural increase.” (24:45)

Practical Steps to Building Your Altar

1. Daily Reflection:

   • Set aside time each day to reflect on the blessings and divine interventions in your life.

2. Express Gratitude:

   • Verbally or in writing, thank God for specific instances where you felt His presence and assistance.

3. Public Declaration:

   • Like Joel and Victoria did after securing the Compact Center, share your gratitude publicly to inspire others and reinforce your faith community.

4. Create Physical Reminders:

   • While not mandatory, having a physical representation such as a journal, a dedicated space, or symbolic items can help in the practice of building altars.

5. Incorporate Faith in Daily Activities:

   • Transform everyday moments into opportunities to acknowledge God’s role, turning mundane tasks into acts of worship and gratitude.

Conclusion: The Blessings of Building Altars

Joel Osteen concludes the episode by reiterating the profound impact of building altars in one’s spiritual journey. He emphasizes that consistent gratitude not only honors God but also opens the door to further blessings and divine favor.

“God says he'll bless you at the altars you built. Don't miss out on favor, healing, protection, because you're not building any altars. Take time every day to thank God for what he's done. Recognize his goodness in your life,” Joel affirms (28:10).

Final Thoughts

"Build Your Altar" serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of gratitude and active remembrance of God's blessings. Joel and Victoria Osteen encourage listeners to adopt this practice to strengthen their faith, attract further blessings, and cultivate a deeper relationship with God.

Note: This summary focuses solely on the core content of the episode, excluding advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections to provide a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.