The heart of Titus

Good Morning,
I trust you are all seeing God's hand at work in your lives, challenging you to be the best for Him.
Chuck was able to have a Bible study and breakfast with guys from our church this morning and he came away really pleased at the experience. The Lord is blessing. Tomorrow he has his MRI and will find out the results on Monday. Thanks for your prayers.
2 Cor. 8:16-17 tells us: "I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative."
When we were off the field in Europe, but still missionaries, we took a trip back to Europe so that Chuck could work with some missionaries on problems and talk to nationals about having a new type of camp. We met up with the family that took our place in Czech during this time.
One of the questions that this family asked us was: What do you think we should be doing for our ministry here? They were having trouble connecting with the flock. We had noticed that they were somewhat critical of the nationals and that bothered us.
Our comment to them was: love the flock. Pray, and ask God to help you to love the flock. That's what we had started doing before we ever moved to the Czech Republic in 1993. And God poured love into our hearts for His flock and those who would be His to such a proportion that we still love them and miss our work there immensely.
In our scripture we see that Titus loved the flock. His heart was the same as Paul's and we see so many times through the Word, Paul's love for others, saved and lost.
He also had much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. Titus worked toward the goal of serving fully. He didn't have to led around by the hand, but planned and with the Lord's help, carried these plans out.
When I pray for missionaries, one of the things I pray about is that the Lord would be in their planning and carrying these plans out. Then, that they would see fruit from their labor so that they will be encouraged. God has answered that prayer more times then I can know, at least here on earth.
So, set your heart on serving God, plan and work for Him and He will bless you abundantly, with love for the flock.

Loving His own,
Sandy