Summary of "Give Birth To Your Dreams | Joel Osteen"

Podcast: Joel Osteen Podcast
Host: Joel Osteen, Victoria Osteen
Release Date: January 3, 2025
Platform: SiriusXM

Introduction

The episode "Give Birth To Your Dreams" begins with a heartfelt greeting from Joel and Victoria Osteen, expressing gratitude to listeners for their support and inviting them to join their community. Victoria kicks off the session with a light-hearted anecdote about a distracted preacher, setting an uplifting and relatable tone for the message ahead.

Main Message: Give Birth To Your Dreams

Joel Osteen delves deeply into the theme of nurturing and realizing the promises God places in our hearts. He uses the metaphor of a seed to illustrate how dreams and desires are planted within us, requiring patience and consistent care to grow and flourish.

1. The Seed of Promises

Joel emphasizes that every promise or dream we hold is akin to a seed planted in the soil of our hearts. These seeds need time to grow, and it’s during this waiting period that many individuals struggle with discouragement and the temptation to settle for mediocrity.

Joel Osteen [02:30]: "These promises are like seeds planted in the soil of our hearts. And most of the time they don't happen overnight. There's a period of waiting involved."

2. The Role of Praise in Watering the Seed

A central tenet of Joel’s message is the power of praise. He explains that praising God is a way to "water" the seeds of our dreams, keeping our faith active and strong even when the fruition seems delayed.

Joel Osteen [12:15]: "Praise is your faith at work. Praise is what activates God's supernatural power."

Joel contrasts the act of praising God with complaining, highlighting that negative thoughts and words can hinder the growth of our dreams. Instead of dwelling on what’s lacking, believers are encouraged to shift their focus to gratitude for what God is doing behind the scenes.

3. Overcoming Negative Thoughts

Joel addresses the internal battles many face with doubt and unbelief. He urges listeners to recognize these negative thoughts as obstacles that can be overcome by reaffirming faith and maintaining a positive outlook.

Joel Osteen [18:45]: "The first place we lose the victory is in our thinking. The battle is taking place in our mind."

He advises against verbalizing doubts or describing one's situation negatively. Instead, believers should use affirmations that align with their faith, such as declaring, "Father, thank you that you're at work in my life."

4. Biblical Examples

To illustrate his points, Joel references several biblical stories:

• Abraham’s Faith: Despite having no reason to hope for a child due to his and Sarah's old age, Abraham maintained his faith and continuously praised God, which eventually led to the fulfillment of God’s promise.

  Joel Osteen [15:20]: "The scripture says here in Romans 4:20, Abraham did not waver in his faith, but he grew strong by giving praise and thanksgiving to God."

• Elijah’s Persistence: During a severe drought, Elijah persistently worshipped God despite receiving multiple negative reports from his servant. His unwavering praise ultimately led to the end of the drought.

  Joel Osteen [26:10]: "Elijah didn't pay a lot of attention to the negative reports. Six times that young man told him something bad, he just kept worshiping."

• David’s Resilience: Faced with numerous challenges and enemies, David chose to sing praises to God instead of succumbing to despair, finding strength and refuge in his faith.

  Joel Osteen [27:30]: "In David's time of need, he wasn't sitting around having a pity party, complaining. He was singing about the greatness of God."

These examples serve to reinforce the importance of maintaining faith and consistently praising God, even in the face of adversity.

5. Personal Stories

Joel shares personal anecdotes to connect the message to real-life experiences:

• The Two Cows Story: Joel recounts his father's experience of believing God would provide two cows for a church conference. Despite initial unwavering faith, his father eventually succumbed to doubt and opted to purchase the cows himself. Later, Joel's father received a prophetic dream indicating that the lack of faith had allowed the enemy to seize the cows.

  Joel Osteen [20:10]: "God said, I just want you to know you let the enemy have your two cows."

• His Mother’s Healing: In contrast, Joel narrates how his mother remained steadfast in her faith and gratitude when diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her continual praise and belief in God's promise of healing led to her recovery, serving as a testament to the power of unwavering faith.

  Joel Osteen [24:50]: "She was constantly watering her seed. She stayed on the offensive... Today my mother is as strong and as healthy as she could possibly be."

• Friend Dawn’s Twins: Joel shares the story of Dawn, who believed for over 20 years to have a child. Her persistent faith and declaration of belief eventually resulted in the birth of twins, showcasing the manifestation of long-held promises through steadfast belief.

  Joel Osteen [28:15]: "Dawn kept thanking God that one day she'd have that baby... 29 years later, Dawn went to the doctor... Dawn is just as happy as can be."

Practical Applications

Joel offers actionable advice for listeners to nurture their own seeds of promise:

• Daily Praise: Incorporate gratitude into daily routines to maintain a positive and faith-filled mindset.

  Joel Osteen [22:30]: "Get up every morning thanking God that the answer is on the way."

• Positive Declarations: Replace negative self-talk with affirmations that reflect faith and belief in God’s promises.

  Joel Osteen [25:05]: "Declare it and then take the third step. Get over into your position of praise."

• Guarding the Mind: Stay vigilant against negative thoughts that can undermine faith and actively choose to focus on what is being received.

  Joel Osteen [21:55]: "Stay on guard. Before long, what's going to happen? Doubt and unbelief will try to fill our Mind."

• Community Support: Share dreams and affirmations within a supportive community to reinforce faith and receive encouragement.

Conclusion

Joel Osteen wraps up the message by reinforcing the idea that God does not abandon our dreams but rather requires our active participation through faith and praise to bring them to fruition. He encourages listeners to adopt a "birth position" of praise, positioning themselves to give birth to their promises despite challenges or delays.

Joel Osteen [28:55]: "Remember, God doesn't abort any dreams. It depends, though, on what we're going to do with them."

Victoria closes with a blessing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith and staying connected to the community for continued support and inspiration.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joel Osteen [02:30]: "These promises are like seeds planted in the soil of our hearts. And most of the time they don't happen overnight. There's a period of waiting involved."

• Joel Osteen [12:15]: "Praise is your faith at work. Praise is what activates God's supernatural power."

• Joel Osteen [15:20]: "Abraham did not waver in his faith, but he grew strong by giving praise and thanksgiving to God."

• Joel Osteen [18:45]: "The first place we lose the victory is in our thinking. The battle is taking place in our mind."

• Joel Osteen [20:10]: "God said, I just want you to know you let the enemy have your two cows."

• Joel Osteen [22:30]: "Get up every morning thanking God that the answer is on the way."

• Joel Osteen [24:50]: "She was constantly watering her seed. She stayed on the offensive... Today my mother is as strong and as healthy as she could possibly be."

• Joel Osteen [25:05]: "Declare it and then take the third step. Get over into your position of praise."

• Joel Osteen [26:10]: "Elijah didn't pay a lot of attention to the negative reports. Six times that young man told him something bad, he just kept worshiping."

• Joel Osteen [27:30]: "In David's time of need, he wasn't sitting around having a pity party, complaining. He was singing about the greatness of God."

• Joel Osteen [28:15]: "Dawn kept thanking God that one day she'd have that baby... 29 years later, Dawn went to the doctor... Dawn is just as happy as can be."

• Joel Osteen [28:55]: "Remember, God doesn't abort any dreams. It depends, though, on what we're going to do with them."

Final Thoughts

"Give Birth To Your Dreams" serves as an empowering reminder to listeners that their dreams and promises are alive within them, awaiting fruition through persistent faith and gratitude. Joel Osteen's blend of biblical wisdom, personal stories, and practical advice offers a comprehensive guide for maintaining hope and actively nurturing one's aspirations despite life's challenges.