Credit: Fabien Maurin, unsplash.com
“That times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord …” (Acts 3:20 ESV)
Over the past few months, we have seen stories of mass baptisms in America, but what has intrigued me is the mention of people being saved, healed, and filled with the Holy Spirit during these meetings.
These are classic indicators that God is also pouring out His Spirit at these events.
And we see it happening again.
This time it took place on the streets of France, but it didn’t involve a water baptism but rather March for Jesus Rallies held in Paris, Metz, Lille, Strasbourg, and Nantes, on May 25, 2024, CBN reports.
The rallies included believers from nearly every type of Christian background, from Pentecostal to Roman Catholic.
“I met Catholic, Pentecostal, charismatic brothers and sisters. I saw Baptists, I even saw Orthodox!” said Pastor Jean Luc Trachsel who spoke at the Paris rally. “Thus, it is not ‘a religion’, nor even ‘a church’ that Christians have come to promote but a single name, that of Jesus,” said Trachsel.
The March for Jesus Rally started in 1991 and has been held annually since then. This year’s rally saw what organizers say was the largest turnout in its history.
Organizers were hoping for a turnout of 20,000, but French authorities estimate that approximately 25,000 people participated, with over 15,000 people attending the Paris March for Jesus.
The Paris rally ended with a service beneath the Eiffel Tower, that featured a worship group from Hillsong FR and, as well, a Roman Catholic group called Glorious.
Pastor Trachsel spoke at the Paris event, which reported several people coming to the Lord. In addition to this, many others were filled with the Holy Spirit and healed.
The Promise of Times of Refreshing
When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, Peter spoke of “times of refreshing” coming from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:20). This is literally referring to ‘times of breathing’ or times receiving ‘refreshment’ after a period of hard exertion, such as work or running, particularly in hot weather.
The Greek word, ‘anapsuxis’, translated as refreshing, is used one other time in the New Testament when Paul wrote of Onesiphorus bringing refreshing to the Apostle Paul while he was in chains in Rome (2 Timothy 1:16).
It suggests as the days get more difficult and trying for believers that at times, the Lord will pour out His Holy Spirit, similar to what He did on the Day of Pentecost, to refresh us.
“If God does this in France, He can and will do it throughout Europe and in the nations of the world. It is harvest time and revival has begun,” Trachsel said in a statement on his website. “In the midst of chaos, wars, opposition, and even persecution, the Glory of God arises as we arise to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a demonstration of power.”
OpentheWord.org 
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