Summary of "The Power of Favor" | Joel Osteen Podcast

Host: Joel Osteen
Episode Title: The Power of Favor
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Duration: Approximately 32 minutes

Introduction to the Power of Favor

In this enlightening episode, Joel Osteen delves into the profound concept of "favor" and its transformative impact on one's life. He emphasizes that while hard work, faithfulness, and diligence are crucial, it's ultimately God's favor that propels individuals beyond their limitations, opening doors that seem insurmountable.

Understanding Favor

Joel begins by defining favor as a divine advantage bestowed by God, enabling individuals to receive blessings, opportunities, and successes that surpass their own efforts and circumstances.

Joel Osteen [05:20]: "Favor will cause good breaks to come to you. Favor will take you from the background to the foreground. Favor will give you preferential treatment."

Biblical Examples Illustrating Favor

Joel uses several biblical narratives to illustrate how favor operates:

1. Noah:

   • Context: Despite being asked to build an ark without prior experience.
   • Favor Manifestation: God provided the necessary strength and resources.
   • Quote:

     Joel Osteen [09:45]: "Noah wasn't a builder. But God will never ask you to do something and not give you the favor to do it."

2. Daniel:

   • Context: Thrown into a den of lions for his unwavering faith.
   • Favor Manifestation: The lions were miraculously restrained, leading the king to honor Daniel.
   • Quote:

     Joel Osteen [15:30]: "Favor doesn't keep you out of trouble, but it keeps the trouble from defeating you."

3. Joseph:

   • Context: Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and imprisoned.
   • Favor Manifestation: Elevated to Prime Minister of Egypt after interpreting Pharaoh's dreams.
   • Quote:

     Joel Osteen [21:10]: "God has some of these destiny moments already lined up for you. You can't see it now, but favor is about to catapult you ahead."

4. Joshua:

   • Context: Leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.
   • Favor Manifestation: God declared Joshua's greatness, positioning him for leadership.
   • Quote:

     Joel Osteen [25:50]: "Joshua was serving Moses faithfully, and then God said, 'Today I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all the Israelites.'"

5. Esther:

   • Context: An orphan selected to be queen in Persia.
   • Favor Manifestation: Used her position to save her people from destruction.
   • Quote:

     Joel Osteen [28:00]: "Favor is more powerful than your resume. Esther became queen not because of her qualifications, but because of God's favor."

How Favor Operates in Our Lives

Joel explains that God's favor isn't just about receiving blessings but also about being placed in positions where one can fulfill their divine purpose. Favor leads to:

• Divine Connections: People who will support and elevate your journey without the need for manipulation or compromise.
• Unexpected Opportunities: Opportunities that arise seemingly out of nowhere, propelling you forward.
• Endorsements: Just as celebrities like Oprah can transform a book's success, God's endorsement can elevate one's life and mission.

Joel Osteen [17:35]: "The creator of the universe is about to endorse you. He's going to make things happen so big, so amazing that people will know it couldn't have been you."

Overcoming Challenges with Favor

Joel reassures listeners that having favor doesn't exempt them from challenges. Instead, favor ensures that obstacles do not become insurmountable barriers.

Joel Osteen [19:50]: "Having favor doesn't mean you won't have challenges. Favor is what's going to keep the challenges from defeating you."

Real-Life Application: Lakewood's Journey

Joel shares the transformation of Lakewood Church as a testament to God's favor. From a modest location in a rundown neighborhood, a pivotal city council vote moved Lakewood to a prestigious building, significantly increasing its influence and reach.

Joel Osteen [24:15]: "That one good break catapulted us to levels of influence and respect that we couldn't have reached on our own in our whole lifetime."

Encouragement to Embrace God’s Favor

Joel encourages listeners to remain faithful, honor God, and trust in His timing. He emphasizes that God's favor will manifest in ways that exceed human understanding and expectations.

Joel Osteen [27:40]: "You've worked hard. You've been faithful. Now get ready for favor. Get ready for God to show out."

Conclusion and Call to Faith

Joel concludes by reaffirming that God's favor is actively working in listeners' lives, setting them up for endorsement and greater purposes. He invites those seeking to embrace this favor to deepen their faith and trust in God's plan.

Joel Osteen [28:52]: "The great I Am is right there with you. God is behind the scenes, making ways, opening doors, turning things in your favor."

Notable Quotes

• Favor as Divine Advantage:

  "Favor will cause good breaks to come to you." [05:20]

• Favor Beyond Effort:

  "Favor is about to catapult you ahead." [21:10]

• Endorsement Through Esther:

  "Favor is more powerful than your resume." [28:00]

• Faith and Readiness:

  "You've worked hard. You've been faithful. Now get ready for favor." [27:40]

Final Thoughts

Joel Osteen's "The Power of Favor" serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating that with God's favor, individuals can transcend their current situations and achieve remarkable success and fulfillment. Through biblical stories and personal anecdotes, Joel underscores the importance of faith, obedience, and openness to divine blessings.

For more insights and inspirational messages, visit joelosteen.com and subscribe to the Joel Osteen Podcast on SiriusXM or Apple Podcasts.