Being a motivational speaker and doing the work of God are two different things.
I don't listen to him, so my comments are generalizations about any speaker that may use Biblical references. If the message is primarily about men or things or the attainment of things or worldly happiness, then the message is not doing the work of God in my opinion. A message doing the will of God will be about bringing honor, praise, and glory to God and about the saving grace provided by God.
I understand what you are saying, but you are no good to God if your head isn’t snapped on right. Right now, in the world, far too many are suffering from depression, mental illness, addictions, obesity, the list goes on, and here comes Joel with messages like this…. ( I picked out some of the message titles off my Podcast)
- You Have Been Pre-Programmed For Victory
- You Are God’s Masterpiece
- Be Comfortable With Who You Are
- I am What God Says I am
- Being Grateful For The Gift of Today
- Living the Abundant Life
- How to Handle Criticism
- Your Time in Coming
- Improving Your Relationships
- Developing Better Habits
- Power of Visualization
- Power of Right Associates
- Developing the Right Anchor Thoughts
- The Favor of God
- Going from Believing to Expecting
- Trust God To Do It His Way
- Make Everyday a Masterpiece
- Living a Life Worth Remembering
- You are Somebody’s Miracle
- Being a God Example
- Armed with Strength for the Battle
- Fulfilling the Best Plan for Your Life
- Making Miracles Out of Mistakes
- Stop Listening to those Accusing Voices
- Controlling Your Weaknesses
- Starting Your Day of Right
I’ve talked about “pits” before on this forum and each and every person in existence has gotten themselves stuck in one a time or two, or three, or fifty, so hopefully many can relate to what I am saying here. You don’t feel like going to church and worshipping anyone when you feel you are far less than “a child of the most high God.” Joel motivates one to feel better about themselves and therefore, you will be better in aspects of your life as well, being a parent, worker, friend, etc.
I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit. He set my feet on a rock. He put a new song in my mouth. - Psalm 40
For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
Rom 11:32
When your life changes for the better, there is no mistake what-so-ever that it was the work of God that got you out of your pits.
I came across Joel, like many others, flipping the channel and he talked about something that was real to me. He is just doing the same work as others, just in a different way. I enjoy his uniqueness in his deliverance of his message. I think, just as people learn differently, diversity is needed to spread the word.
Olsteen 
