“However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say,

    ‘When he ascended to the heights,
    he led a crowd of captives
    and gave gifts to his people.’”

“Notice that it says ‘he ascended.’ This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself” (Ephesians 4:7-10, NLT). What is happening here, and what is Paul’s point in these verses?

Paul here quoted Psalm 68:18, which reads: “When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you” (NLT). Psalm 68:18 portrays the Lord, Yahweh, as a conquering general who, having conquered His enemies, ascends the hill on which His capital city is built, with the captives of battle in His train (see Psalm 68:1-2).

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

He then receives tribute (“received gifts”) from His conquered foes (noting that Paul adjusts this imagery to the exalted Christ “giving gifts,” based on the wider context of the Psalm, see Psalm 68:35).

If we follow the order of Psalm 68:18, the ascent — Christ’s ascension to heaven (Ephesians 1:21-23) — occurs first, followed by the descent in which the risen, exalted Jesus gives gifts and fills all things. This is Paul’s way of depicting the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:1-47). This view is confirmed by Ephesians 4:11-12, which identify the gifts provided by the exalted Jesus as gifts of the Spirit.

“Christ ascended on high, leading captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. When, after Christ’s ascension, the Spirit came down as promised, like a rushing, mighty wind, filling the whole place where the disciples were assembled, what was the effect? Thousands were converted in a day.” — Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 158.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Amen!(0)

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-exalted-christ-giver-of-gifts/

The book of Ephesians shows us “How to Follow Jesus in Trying Times”:
Hymn 623 – I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour so that our actions will always speak louder than our words.

Paul encourages us to ask 
Come, Holy Spirit – Hymn 269 to help us
Be Like Jesus – Hymn 311, all because 
The Church Has One Foundation – Hymn 348. Paul goes on to tell us 
Hark! The Voice of Jesus Calling – Hymn 359 and 
Hymn 285 – Jesus Calls Us. May we respond with 
O Let Me Walk With Thee – Hymn 554.

As we are to be one with our Lord, Jesus Christ, in all we do and say, we reflect on the fact that He is 
Lord of Creation – Hymn 320 (Monday).

The encouragement continues throughout this week so that we 
Lift Him Up, The Risen Saviour – Hymn 371 (Tuesday).

So, dear people, be encouraged to go forward and
“Lift up the trumpet and loud let it ring, Jesus IS coming again” – Hymn 213.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-the-unified-body-of-christ-singing-with-inspiration/