Prior to the Day of Pentecost, 120 believing disciples spent several weeks in the upper room in fervent prayer until every heart was softened and they had all fallen in love with the entire human race. To be sure they were not happy with the sin that was being practiced, but God had put in their hearts a love for sinners and they were ready now to do their best to reach them for Christ, as He had commissioned them to do. John and James no longer wanted to call down fire from heaven upon them and Peter was no longer eager to chop off somebody’s ear. The Bible says, "they were all with one accord" (Acts 2:1). Had that been all that happened that day, that in itself would have been outstanding!

When one reads the second chapter of Acts, it is clear that the love which was so obvious that day, was but a springboard to better things. God poured out His Spirit: the Church was born – 3000 souls were won to Christ and a whole book of miracles followed! That book is called The Acts Of The Apostles. It all started when men and women fell in love with Jesus Christ and He, in turn, enabled them to love even the unlovely!

Something akin to that took place in my life on October 27, when friends and relatives drove 20, 30, 40 and up to 230 miles to help me celebrate my 95th Birthday. Some who could not attend sent greetings. I was almost overwhelmed by the outstanding love manifested that day – I didn’t know I had so many friends!

This is the kind of love that characterized the early church. This is the kind of love that prompts my daughter to take time out of her busy life to minister to those in the Nursing Home. She doesn’t get paid to go there twice a month. The people all love her and love for them beams from her face until the entire place is saturated with Gods love and His Divine Presence.

It has been said: "Wherever you find love, you find self-denial. Those who deserve love the least need it the most. Works, not words, are the proof of love."