I believe in today’s world that we live in, the Lord is requiring us to be “affluent.” This word can be used in various ways to describe one who is abundant in different things, but I believe the Holy Spirit is revealing His perspective on affluent. The definition in Webster's Dictionary reads; *flowing in abundance. In Acts 10:38 we read about, Christ Jesus being anointed with the Holy Spirit, to do good, to heal and to destroy the devils influence. Christ Jesus was affluent in the Holy Spirit to be a powerful influence in representing the Heavenly Father. In John chapter 5 verse 19, Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 

 
 All through the Bible we read about the Influence of God upon humanity. From the very beginning the Holy Trinity was at work designing a planet so man would be heavens represenitive and flow in abundance (Gen. 1:26-28). Adam and Eve were given tremendous influence over what was given to them to steward. Adam and Eve were God’s crown of creation. But even though they were influential in their sphere, there was yet to be a demonstration of loyalty and trust. So God spoke to them and gave them instructions in their sphere of influence. He said, “Do you see all that has been given to you to enjoy? All of this is yours, but there is a tree (knowledge of good & evil) in the midst of the garden, if you eat of it, you will die,” Genesis 2:17. Most everyone knows what happened next. They ate of the fruit on the tree and their excuse was, “We were deceived.” How did it happen? By listening and entertaining a suggestive thought from the serpent, “maybe God is withholding something from you?” Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil,” Gen. 3:4-5.
 
The devil has not changed in the way he deceives. Notice the Genesis account of sin entering through dis-obedience. Satan suggested to Eve, “if you eat of the fruit of the tree, you will be like God.” Satan has never changed his tactics in deception. He continues today in deceiving man to believe he can be his own god and be great in doing life. We need to look no further than the evening news to see how man is doing without God’s Word as a lamp & a light (Ps. 119:105). It is amazing that God knew from the very beginning that man would fall from glory, but went ahead with His plan to redeem man. Christ Jesus would set His divinity aside and take on sinful flesh to die on a Cross. “He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross,” Phil. 2:6-7. This is powerful! That Christ Jesus would step out of Heaven, endure such pain for you and me. As God, Christ Jesus saw us fully restored and powerful in our assignment on earth. Some might ask what is my assignment? In Mark 16:15-20 is the account of the risen Savior with the disciples and He commissioned them in their assignment. “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15.
 
Every day I awake to a new morning, I am thankful for my salvation. I am constantly reminded by the Holy Spirit dwelling in me that I’m on assignment and I represent the Kingdom of God. This representation is one of an Ambassador. “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God,” 2Cor. 5:20. Before salvation I would never in my life have thoughts of such importance. But faith in Christ transformed me. It was a  “Holy metamorphous” (change of form by supernatural means). By revelation from the Holy Spirit I identified myself to being dead to my old nature and alive in Christ (Rom. 6:1-11). When by faith I received what Christ has done, the Holy Spirit had latitude to bring about a new creation in Christ Jesus (2Cor. 5:17). So no longer am I a slave to sin and limited to the parameters of a fallen nature, but have supernatural ability to be “affluent to influence.” This is ordination (priestly authority) in purest form and I have embraced it. This is who you and I have been commissioned to be.
 
Jesus Christ is perfect theology. Religion is not. We have to get to the place of experiencing the works that Jesus did, then we have followed in the Masters footsteps and demonstrated with power the commission. Jesus said in John 14:12,"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” So, let us as the Body of Christ demonstrate the likeness of Jesus by being affluent in our calling to influence a dying world. This is you and I anointed by God with the Holy Spirit doing good, healing the sick and casting out devils in demonstration that the Kingdom of God is here!
 
This is the month that we have set aside as a Nation to be thankful. As we celebrate with family and friends a Thanksgiving meal, let us never forget the True Meal that Heals. It is Jesus, “The Bread from Heaven.”  (Is. 53:5, Jn. 6:51)