Ministry gifts of Christ to his body

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Yes, we are blessed!  Why?  Number one- - we live in the United States of America; this gives us freedom of religion.  We are so fortunate - clean drinking water, toilets inside, food to eat, opportunities for good hygiene and work.  

   Want to see oppression, depression, just watch i24 news which gives "real news" not screened and false news. If you are interested here is the link: https://www.i24news.tv

  Okay, Ephesians 4:7-11, we are given gifts the first of which is grace. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

The next scriptures are difficult and hard to understand. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.    First about ascended up on high.  You have to come down before you can go up; so Jesus descended from heaven to earth. Okay, He, Jesus ascended up on high and the next we have to understand that in these days when someone was conquered, the captives were led by the conqueror and then gifts were given to the people. In this case satan, evil, and sin were conquered and our gifts, as I understand, are gifts of the spirit.

   9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

  These 2 verses are difficult for a layman such as me. The part about descended first into the lower parts of the earth - one authority says this is the resting place of souls between death and resurrection. Now they rose with Christ who came to retrieve them.

  Verse 10, I believe, refers to Christ, who is Lord of the whole universe, past, present and future.  The LORD of all came here, to earth, faced death for what?  To rescue all people.

  So Christ came, led us out of captivity, but what gifts. Look at the next scriptures: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

  Our being one in Christ lets us be who we are but with special gifts. These gifts are designed to build up the church unity.  What gifts? apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  You may say I don't have any, not one of these gifts. Oh, but you do. If nothing else evangelist or teachers.  We are to spread the word and by doing so we have the opportunity to evangelize or teach.

   Are you spiritually mature?  Are you exercising the gifts God has given you?  It may just be a conversation with someone about Jesus, God, the Bible, but, that is teaching or evangelizing.  

  My prayer for you and for me is that we will use our gifts to strengthen and encourage the church and others.  I do hope this makes sense to you today.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny