🕊️ MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
Title: Anyone Who Tries to Take the Place of El-Shaddai Shall Surely Die!
Key Scripture:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Devotional Message:
There is a disease spreading rapidly among believers today. Doctors cannot diagnose it. Pharmacists cannot prescribe for it. Scientists cannot culture it in a laboratory.
Its name is "The Messiah Complex."
The symptoms are simple:
You want to solve everybody's problem.
You want to carry everybody's load.
You want to rescue everybody's future.
You want to sponsor everybody's destiny.
You want to be husband, wife, counselor, banker, prophet, doctor, lawyer, and Holy Spirit—all in one body!
My brother, calm down.
Even Jesus took time to sleep in a boat. Why are you trying to stay awake for the whole universe?
Many people are dying before their time because they have unofficially applied for God's job.
Imagine a mosquito writing an application letter to become the Governor of Kogi State. That is exactly what happens whenever a human being attempts to replace El-Shaddai.
El-Shaddai means The All-Sufficient One.
Not partially sufficient.
Not occasionally sufficient.
Not economically sufficient.
Not politically sufficient.
ALL-SUFFICIENT!
He never runs out of power.
He never suffers from burnout.
He never needs a loan.
He never experiences depression.
He never says, "Please call me later; I'm overwhelmed."
Yet many believers wake up every morning carrying burdens that God never assigned to them.
The result?
Wrinkles at thirty.
High blood pressure at forty.
Discouragement at fifty.
And unnecessary frustration throughout life.
God never asked you to be Him.
He only asked you to trust Him.
The graveyard is full of people who attempted to carry what only God could carry.
Don't become one of them.
Stop carrying God's luggage.
You are a passenger on the journey of life, not the engine of the vehicle.
Let El-Shaddai be God.
He has never resigned from the position.
1. In Marriage: Stop Trying to Be Your Spouse's God
Some husbands want to become Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, and Jehovah Shalom for their wives simultaneously.
Some wives have appointed themselves Managing Directors of their husband's destiny.
The result is frustration.
Listen carefully:
You cannot satisfy every emotional need of your spouse.
You cannot heal every wound.
You cannot answer every prayer.
Only God can.
A successful marriage is not two people holding each other desperately.
It is two people holding God securely.
When Christ remains at the center, the burden becomes lighter and the journey becomes sweeter.
2. In Finances: Your Salary Is Not Your Source
Many believers trust their monthly salary more than they trust God's faithfulness.
The moment salary delays, prayer increases.
The moment salary arrives, faith disappears.
How interesting!
Your employer is not your source.
Your business is not your source.
Your customers are not your source.
God simply uses them as channels.
Channels can dry up.
The Source never does.
When you depend entirely on your hustle without acknowledging God, anxiety becomes your roommate.
Trust Jehovah Jireh.
Work diligently, plan wisely, but sleep peacefully.
God is still on the throne.
3. In Helping Others: You Are Not the Assistant Redeemer
Some people are carrying relatives, neighbors, church members, classmates, former classmates, and future classmates on their heads.
If somebody sneezes in Lagos, they feel responsible in Abuja.
If somebody cries in Port Harcourt, they lose sleep in Kabba.
Compassion is good.
But attempting to save everybody is dangerous.
Even Jesus did not heal every sick person in Israel.
You are not the Savior.
You are only a servant.
Help where God gives grace.
Pray where you cannot help.
And leave the rest to God.
The world survived before you arrived and will continue after you leave.
Relax.
El-Shaddai is still in charge.
4. In Ministry: The Church Belongs to Christ
Many ministers are exhausted because they have unconsciously promoted themselves from servant to owner.
The church is not yours.
The members are not yours.
The anointing is not yours.
The ministry is not yours.
Everything belongs to Christ.
Some pastors worry as if heaven will collapse if they rest for one day.
No, sir.
The church survived before you became pastor.
It will survive because Jesus remains the Head.
When you start acting like El-Shaddai in ministry, fatigue becomes your companion.
Remember:
You are a vessel.
Not the source.
You are a messenger.
Not the message.
You are a steward.
Not the owner.
Let God carry His church while you carry your assignment.
Reflection Questions
• Are you trying to become everything to your spouse?
• Have you trusted your hustle more than God's provision?
• Are you emotionally exhausted because you are trying to rescue everybody?
• Has ministry become a burden because you are carrying what belongs to Christ?
Prayer
Father, forgive me for attempting to carry burdens You never assigned to me. I surrender my marriage, finances, ministry, family, and future into Your mighty hands. Teach me to trust You completely and rest in Your sufficiency. Help me to remember that You are El-Shaddai and I am not. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Charge
Stop applying for God's position.
The vacancy does not exist.
The office is already occupied.
El-Shaddai has not retired, resigned, travelled, or died.
Therefore, hand over every burden to Him today.
Sleep well.
Pray well.
Work well.
Trust well.
And let God be God.
For anyone who tries to take the place of El-Shaddai will eventually discover that divine responsibilities require divine shoulders.
Your shoulders were never designed for that weight.
Shalom!
Your Brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
CAC Ibudo Ònà Abayọ
cacsolutioncenter@outlook.com
08058140045