Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen is an American pastor, author, and televangelist. He is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, a megachurch based in Houston, Texas. Osteen is known for his positive and motivational messages, which focus on faith, hope, and the power of positive thinking. He has written several best-selling books, including "Your Best Life Now" and "I Declare". Osteen's ministry has a global reach, with millions of viewers tuning in to his weekly television program and online sermons.

Worthiness

Worthiness refers to the state of being deserving of respect, value, or esteem. It is often associated with feelings of self-worth and confidence. In a spiritual context, worthiness is often linked to the belief that we are loved and accepted by God, regardless of our imperfections or past mistakes. This concept is central to many religious teachings, emphasizing that our value comes from our relationship with God, not from our achievements or external circumstances.

Identity

Identity refers to the sense of self, including our beliefs, values, and roles in life. It is shaped by our experiences, relationships, and cultural influences. In a spiritual context, identity is often linked to our relationship with God. Understanding our identity as children of God can help us to overcome feelings of unworthiness and embrace our true value.

Unworthiness

Unworthiness is the feeling of not being deserving of respect, value, or esteem. It can stem from negative self-beliefs, past mistakes, or external circumstances. Unworthiness can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. It can also hinder our ability to receive God's blessings and live a fulfilling life.

Prodigal Son

The parable of the prodigal son is a story told by Jesus in the Bible (Luke 15:11-32). It tells the story of a young man who leaves his father's home, squanders his inheritance, and eventually returns home, humbled and repentant. The father welcomes him back with open arms, demonstrating God's unconditional love and forgiveness. The parable is often used to illustrate the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and God's unwavering love for His children.

Mephibosheth

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, the best friend of King David, and the grandson of King Saul. He was crippled as a child after a tragic accident and lived in poverty. Despite his challenges, Mephibosheth was still royalty and had a purpose to fulfill. His story is found in the Bible (2 Samuel 9-19) and is often used to illustrate the importance of embracing our identity and not letting our circumstances dictate our worth.

Loda Bar

Loda Bar was a city in ancient Israel, known for its poverty and rundown conditions. In the Bible, Mephibosheth, the grandson of King Saul, lived in Loda Bar after being crippled as a child. The city represents a place of hardship and adversity, but it does not define the value or identity of those who live there. The story of Mephibosheth highlights that our location or circumstances do not determine our worth.

Dead Dog Mentality

The "dead dog mentality" is a term used by Joel Osteen to describe a mindset of unworthiness, defeat, and hopelessness. It is characterized by feelings of being worthless, undeserving, and incapable of achieving anything good. This mentality can stem from past mistakes, negative experiences, or external circumstances. Osteen encourages listeners to reject this mentality and embrace their true identity as children of God, who are worthy of love, blessings, and a fulfilling life.

Royal Blood

The phrase "royal blood" is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is of noble lineage or has a special status. In a spiritual context, it can refer to the fact that Christians are children of God, who is the King of Kings. This concept emphasizes our inherent worth and value as children of the Most High God.

Come Boldly

The phrase "come boldly" is a biblical expression that encourages Christians to approach God with confidence and assurance, knowing that they are loved and accepted by Him. It is often used in the context of prayer, reminding us that we can come to God with our needs and requests, without fear or hesitation.