Overview of Just Remember | Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen delivers an encouragement-focused message urging listeners to "just remember" the past mercies and victories God has provided. The sermon centers on using those remembered miracles as fuel for faith when facing present challenges—illness, heartbreak, career setbacks, fear, or doubt. Through Bible references, personal stories, and practical exhortation, Joel calls listeners to shift their focus from defeats to God's faithfulness, maintain awe for past deliverances, and expect future favor.
Main themes & takeaways
- Remember past miracles to build faith for current challenges. When you can’t see a way, replay times God made a way.
- Life victories are “mercies of God,” not mere luck; acknowledge God’s hand rather than crediting only yourself.
- Don’t rehearse defeats. Constantly revisiting past hurts keeps you stuck; intentionally remember victories instead.
- Keep a posture of gratitude and expectancy—this opens you to more “mountable” miracles (trophies of God’s goodness).
- The enemy cannot finish you; God is the author and finisher of your faith. Speak back to fear and discouragement with truth.
- Preserve the awe of what God has done—don’t let miracles become ordinary.
Notable quotes & declarative lines
- “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.”
- “I didn’t get here by myself… it was the favor of God.”
- “You’re driving a mercy car. You’re living in a mercy house. You’re working at a mercy job.”
- “The enemy cannot finish you off. God has the final say.”
- “Don’t let what once was a miracle become ordinary.”
Key stories & scripture references
- Biblical: Deuteronomy 7 — God reminding Israelites of the deliverance from Pharaoh as reason to not fear future battles.
- Biblical: Disciples who forgot the earlier miracle of the loaves and panicked in a storm; lesson—if you remember miracles, you’ll retain faith.
- Biblical: Saul’s conversion—God stopped a powerful enemy in an instant; unseen mercies intervene on your behalf.
- Personal: Joel meeting Victoria at a jewelry store (an instance of God directing steps).
- Personal: Near-miss with an 18-wheeler during a rainstorm; son almost thrown from boat but spared after Victoria listened to a prompting.
- Family: Mother diagnosed terminal but lived decades beyond expectation—“a mountable” miracle.
- Family history: Father survived falling into fire, poverty, divorce, and betrayal—examples of mercies that “could not finish him off.”
Practical action steps (how to apply the message)
- Consciously rehearse victories: make a list of past deliverances (healing, relationships, providence, protection).
- Keep “mountable” reminders visible: photos, journals, or “trophy” stories you can retell when discouraged.
- Replace defeat narratives: when negative thoughts arise, speak aloud what God has done and declare your identity in Christ.
- Maintain gratitude and awe—regularly tell the story of God’s mercies (don’t let them become ordinary).
- Join and stay connected to a Bible-based church community for ongoing spiritual support.
- If you haven’t, respond to the salvation invitation: a simple repentance and prayer to receive Christ (Joel gives a suggested prayer).
Resources & calls to action mentioned
- Joel’s book: No More Fear—You Have the Mind of Christ (promoted as a tool to silence fear and strengthen faith).
- Offer: God Word Study Collection — NIV/Message Parallel Bible, devotional, How to Read Your Bible guide, leather bookmark with pen (available through joelostein.com or phone).
- Ministry asks: invitation to become a partner (Champion of Hope), year-end giving appeal.
- Note: Sermon includes several sponsor/promotional ads at the start and end (other podcasts, product ads).
Who this message is for
- Christians seeking encouragement through hardship, people struggling with fear, anxiety, or discouragement.
- Listeners wanting practical spiritual habits to build faith (memory of God’s mercies, confession, gratitude).
- Anyone open to a faith-based perspective on overcoming setbacks and expecting future favor.
Quick summary (3-line version)
Joel Osteen’s “Just Remember” urges believers to combat fear and discouragement by actively recalling past deliverances—the “mercies of God”—and letting those memories fuel faith, gratitude, and expectancy for future breakthroughs. Don’t rehearse defeats; keep your eyes on God’s goodness, tell your testimony often, and expect God to do more. Practical steps: list and retell your miracles, declare God’s truth over fear, stay connected to a church, and cultivate awe.