Ephesians 4:7-13

 7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is
why it says:
 “When he ascended on high,
 he led captives in his train
 and gave gifts to men.” 9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also
descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one
who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for
works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Meditation
1. This list of gifts is by no means exhaustive. Similar lists appear in Paul’s other
letters. Here, he says that the purpose of these gifts is “to train (prepare…
for work) Christ’s followers, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (v12).
The Spirit gives gifts to us so that, by all of us exercising these gifts, we will
build each other up to be more and more like Christ.
2. What gifts has God given me? How am I using them? Are they for mending,
setting right, or putting together in the body of Christ?
3. Thank God for the gifts he’s given me and other members of the church. Pray
that I will do my part to help build up the church.

Personal Note:
God has given me gifts of servanthood, pastoring, and encouragement.  I am using them by serving and encouraging the young friends whom God entrusted to me to become closer to Jesus Christ.  I pray that I will be faithful in doing my part for the church.