This past week we were at the West Africa Team's annual conference. The theme was "Perseverance."

Several of us were asked to give a testimony about perseverance in our life.

I spoke from my heart, and as near as I can recall this is what I said. "Jack Taylor had a sermon entitled 'Making it in a Mess.' I was given a cassette of it in seminary, and it helped me persevere. He said, "if you follow Jesus you are either in a mess, about to be in a mess, or just coming out of a mess." Anyone on the mission field, especially in West Africa is in mess, but following Jesus will get you in a mess wherever you are. Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Everyone is telling us, "Don't quit, Don't quit." Ephesians 6:13 says, "Put on the full armor of God, so when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." When you have "done everything," means, when you have done all you can, and you can't do anything else. How can you stand when you have nothing left? I grew up hearing, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." What the scripture tells me is that those who persevere until the end are those who have come to the end of themselves, and are standing in the power of the Mighty King. I have always tried to be John Wayne. My motto was, "I'll do it myself." God can't use anyone who thinks they can do it themselves. God has had to humble me to make me useful. God uses people who have come to the end of self, and are desperately holding on to Him. God told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness." The secret to perseverance is to quit, to "Cease all trusting in the flesh." Surrender, give up to, "Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Give up to God and persevere.

Remember "Our God Reigns," and I'll see you in church.