The beatitudes are a blessing bestowed on you from Jesus himself. They are not an ethic to keep, but a blessing to receive. The more we understand all Jesus is offering — how we're blessed, how we're chosen, how we’re meant for life with Jesus now — the more we understand His invitation to walk and work with Him. 

The terms of true peace have been announced and completely executed, yet we have conflict every day on matters that are settled. We also tend to avoid conflict where we have the opportunity to be a peace maker. Jesus — who was and is — the terms of peace personified, bestows a perfect peace on His followers and calls them to “go and do likewise.” Watch and see how practical becoming a peacemaker is to your daily life and work.

Conflict is all around us. We get entangled in conflict very easily. We forget that Peace has conquered conflict. When Peace sets you free, Peace calls you into the conflict as an agent of Peace so that you will free others with Peace for the sake of their souls.

There is nothing better for us than considering what has been done for us. Practicing thanksgiving leads to more blessings. A heart full of gratitude changes our mindset — our attitude — and leads to dramatically different selfless based actions that result in blessing others. Acting for the benefit of others helps us understand our value in the world and leads to even greater blessings of assurance, purpose, and meaning. 

You’ve heard it said can’t be grateful and anxious at the same time. It’s also true that a heart full of gratitude cancels fear, selfishness — even complacency. Watch as Howard explains an ancient practice that helps cultivate gratitude and leads to transformative change in attitude which cause us to act in practical selfless ways for others.

Why have so many people over the years considered it true joy to suffer in the name of Jesus — even to be persecuted? What motivated these heroes of faith and how should this inform our daily life and work? We've all heard that gratitude is good for us — better mood, better relationships, better outlook. But what if gratitude is more than a self-help technique?

Wars are created over unmet desires. Peace starts with surrender of things we hold too tightly. Watch as Howard explains the practicality of becoming neutral to outcomes, laying down what we think are our rights, listening, not accepting the status quo, and considering the ultimate upside when it comes to making peace with and for others.

In the twelfth episode of the Gospel in Life series "Discovering the Gospel in Every Book of the Bible", Tim Keller looks at the book of Ezra and the book of Nehemiah together. Each episode from this series highlights themes that point to the Gospel and help you discover the overarching narrative of God’s Word in every book — Christ coming into the world to save us from our sins and reconcile us to God the Father.

The world needs peace, and so do our coworkers, clients, and friends. Our workplace can be filled with conflict and resentment that is incredibly expensive to our business and to our souls. There’s a real advantage for individuals and organizations who are in the peacemaking business.