Ramez Atallah

From Ramez Atallah on Lessons Learned Evangelizing in Egypt:

The general secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt joined the panel of speakers at the annual Desiring God Pastors Conference this week in Minneapolis, where he spoke of his personal testimony and advised pastors from all over the world on ways they could lead their ministries with vision, creativity and trust during times of difficulty.

"We have a sense that what God has called us to is fulfillment," Atallah, also the honorary president of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, shared on Wednesday. "And most of us want to be fulfilled. We want a church or a ministry that can best use our gifts."

"But I want to submit to you that this is unbiblical. God has never promised that He's going to put you in a place where you can use all your gifts ... God calls you to a mission, puts you in responsibility, then He wants you to develop any gifts you have that may serve that responsibility."


The former director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of Canada admonished believers not to go after gifts, which was the trap of the devil, but God's mission and calling. "This is Paul's reminder: You are obligated, eager to share the Gospel, and never be ashamed because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."

---

*NODS* As Jesus said, "He who wants to save his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for Me and for the gospel will find it."

Reminded about being a servant. But very sad that there are quite a number of people in church who desire self-fulfillment - that same ancient lie that the serpent hissed to Eve: self-fulfillment YOUR way.