St. Zaccheaus Christ Apostolic Evangelical Church

30/04/2026

29/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Wednesday 29th April, 2026.

Acceptable Sacrifice.
Text: Phillipians 4:1-23

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[6]. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

[9]. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

[18]. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Paul called the Philippians’ gift “a sweet-smelling offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (vs 18). That’s the pattern: a life of unity, thanksgiving, pure thoughts, contentment, giving and dependence on Christ becomes an acceptable sacrifice. And to those who live this way, God responds “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ".

Living as an acceptable sacrifice begins with having the same mind in the Lord as fellow followers of Christ, which is vital for unity and peace (vs 2-3). Paul admonished us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer with thanksgiving, make our requests known to God, so His peace which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds. We are to emulate only good things thinking on what is true, pure, and praiseworthy. We must learn contentment in any condition and how to adapt to every situation, because it is only Christ who gives us strength to do all things (vs 11-13).

Core Point
Acceptable sacrifices that God expects are a heart filled with humility, thanksgiving, obedience, contentment, and generous giving.

Prayer Point
Lord, make my life an acceptable sacrifice unto You.

Acceptable sacrifices usher in great blessings.

28/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Tuesday 28th April, 2026.

Deny yourself.
Text: Matthew 16:1-28

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[22]. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

[23]. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

[24]. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
[25]. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

The Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign from heaven, but Jesus called them wicked and hypocritical, giving no sign because their hearts were blind to truth (vs 1-4). He warned His disciples to beware of false teaching that feed pride and excuses. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter’s answer “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” was not carnal knowledge but revelation from the Father (vs 15-17). True recognition of Christ never comes from self, but from surrendering our own reasoning to God.

Yet immediately after that revelation, Jesus showed what following Him costs, He must suffer, deny himself and take up his cross (vs 24). When Peter tried to protect Jesus from taking up his cross, Jesus rebuked him: “Get behind Me, Satan! You set your mind on man’s things, not God’s”. Self cannot follow Christ and preserve itself, it must die. “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?”. To deny yourself is to refuse the leaven of self-preservation, excuses, and human approval, choosing the cross instead daily, because only in losing your life for His sake will you truly save it (vs 25).

Core Point
True discipleship begins with the revelation of Christ and continues by denying self daily to follow Him.

Prayer Point
Lord, help me deny myself, reject false doctrine, and follow you even when it costs my comfort and plans.

Deny yourself to follow Christ.

27/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Monday 27th April, 2026.

Bear your cross.
Text: Luke 14:1-35

[25]. And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them.

[26]. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

[27]. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

True honour comes through humility, and genuine generosity expecting nothing in return. We are called to trust God to elevate us in His time, while we humble ourselves before Him (1 Peter 5:6), and to give freely to those who cannot repay us, knowing that our reward comes not from people but at the resurrection of the just (vs 14). To bear your cross is to live out with humility daily (vs 27), choosing surrender over recognition and obedience over personal gain, even when it costs comfort, pride, or approval.

Most Christians are confronted with the danger of making excuses and developing divided loyalties. Like those who declined the invitation, we often let ordinary concerns prevent us from seeing what God is offering. But bearing your cross means refusing to let anything take priority over Christ, it is a conscious decision to lay down personal plans, attachments, and excuses to follow Him fully. What we delay or refuse may be given to others, reminding us that discipleship is not passive but demands urgency, sacrifice, and a wholehearted commitment to walk the path Christ has set (Matthew 16:24).

Core Point
True discipleship means choosing humility, sacrifice, and obedience over excuses, comfort, and personal gain.

Prayer Point
Lord, give me grace to take the low place and bear my cross daily without excuses.

Honour belongs to the humble who follow Christ fully.

26/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Sunday 26th April, 2026.

Carnal mind is enmity against God.
Text: Romans 8:1-16

[5]. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

[6]. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

[7]. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

[8]. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Carnality is a great enemy against the Spirit of God because the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God and cannot please Him. It leads to death, not just physical but spiritual separation, as it wars against God’s law and makes true worship impossible (vs 7). A man under the influence of the flesh struggles to acknowledge God as Father because carnality breeds fear and bo***ge, not intimacy (vs 15). That’s why Samson could carry God’s anointing yet be drawn to Philistine women, or Ahab could be king yet sulk for a vineyard the carnal mind makes you an enemy of the very God who called you. It rejects divine order, trades sacred things for pleasure, and ends in loss.

But glory be to God, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. The moment one is saved, he’s no longer subjected to the flesh but privileged to life and adoption (vs 10; 15). The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, casting out the fear that carnality brings. As children of God, we must let the Spirit lead us so the fruit of sonship keeps growing no longer slaves to fear, but heirs who cry “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:14-17).

Core Point
The carnal mind is God’s enemy that leads to death, but the Spirit gives life and adoption.

Prayer Points
1. Lord, help me crucify every carnal desire and be led daily by your Spirit.
2. Take preeminence in today's service, empower every vessel that all glory may be returned unto you. Amen!

In Christ, we’re no longer slaves.
Happy Sunday.

25/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Saturday 25th April, 2026.

Samson, the mighty man.
Text: Judges 14:1-20

[16]. And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?

[17]. And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.

Samson married due to what he saw and turned against God's word (not to marry a stranger). He allowed the carnal man in him to control him and therefore pleased his eyes rather than God. He married a Philistine despite his Nazarite calling. He hid the lion incident from his parents (vs 6). Yet, when his wife pressured him with tears, he revealed his riddle(vs. 17), showing how carnality keeps secrets from accountability but surrenders them to fleshly affection. The same pattern that made him trade sacred mysteries for temporary peace later cost him the secret of his strength, proving that a man ruled by the flesh will sell his consecration for pleasure and end up betrayed by the very thing he trusted (Judges 16:19-21; Romans 8:6).

This is a valuable lesson for Christians to learn: not to let our senses control us, but to always be guided by God's Spirit. Carnality can turn a might man in God's sight to a mere man. Beware.

Core Point
A carnal mind cannot keep covenant secrets, it sells power for pleasure and has a regrettable end.

Prayer Point
1. Lord, deliver me from fleshly appetites that can make me reveal what I should conceal.
2. Father, help me value your presence more than people’s pressure.

Your strength isn't in your muscles.

24/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Friday 24th April, 2026.

David who is supposed to be on the battlefield.
Text: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

[1] It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

[2] Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.

[5] And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”

[15] And he wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.”

[27]. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

When we don't yield to God completely, it means we still allow the carnal man in us to operate. Carnality leads to abandoning our duty post in search of rest or pleasure. David was supposed to be on the battlefield, for “in the spring, when kings go off to war” (vs 1), but he sent Joab and stayed at home. Idle hands are the devil's workshop Prov. 16:27 TLB. While being idle he saw Bathsheba, lusted, and sinned (vs 2-4). He also tried to cover up the shame by deceit, bringing Uriah home to sleep with his wife (vs 6-13). When that failed, he arranged the death of an innocent man to hide his sin. Sin leads to sins, and this ultimately leads to losing God's presence in us, for “the thing David had done displeased the LORD”. Thank God for always looking for ways to restore us to Himself (Ps 51:10-12), David would have been eternally condemned.

We cannot determine the outcome or consequences of disobeying God or allowing the flesh to rule over us, but we can choose to stand for God and not give the flesh a foothold (Rom 13:14).

Core Point
1. Be where God wants you to be. Focus on the work He has assigned to you. David left his duty post and he fell into sin. Christian don't look for rest yet, you are in the midst of your enemy, be careful.
2. Don't cover up your sin(s) when you fall into sin, expose them and humbly ask God for mercy. Ahab and David were forgiven immediately they acknowledged their sin.
3. You will only be committing more sins when you try to cover up your sin.
4. You don't decide the outcome or consequences of your sin but you can decide to stand up for God and not yield to flesh.

Prayer Point
1. Lord, deliver me from idleness, help me to focus and remain at my duty post.
2. Father, help me to yield to you completely, so I won’t fall into sin and lose your presence.

23/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Thursday 23rd April, 2026.

Strange women.
Text: 1 Kings 11:1-13

[1]. But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

[2] from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.

[4]. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

The carnal mind craves what God forbids and tells itself “I can handle it.” But the devil uses your weakness as a doorway (James 1:14). Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and subsequently “his wives turned away his heart” (vs 3-4). God has already instructed his people against marrying strange women but because of carnality Solomon despite his wisdom did what was contrary to God's instruction (Deut 7:3-4). The carnal mind doesn’t reject God in one day; it tolerates one strange love, then another, until you’re bowing to it. It’s never satisfied and always trades loyalty to God for lust (Romans 8:7).

Because his heart turned away from God, the Lord was angry and said, “I will surely tear the kingdom from you” (vs 9-11). The carnal mind builds on disobedience, but God won’t sustain what He never approved. Solomon kept his wisdom and wealth, yet lost God’s presence. That’s the cost of every strange woman, money, or shady deals we refuse to leave that pull us from God. Like a Nigerian who keeps a secret lover or fraudulent contract saying “God understands,” you’ll still look blessed outside while God writes “torn” over what you’re building. What you refuse to leave for God will eventually leave you without God.

Core Point
The carnal mind clings to strange loves that God forbids, and those lusts will turn the heart and tear down kingdoms built.

Prayer Point
Lord, expose every strange woman in my heart be it lust, habit, or relationship pulling me from you, and give me grace to cut it off before it destroys me.

What you refuse to leave for God will eventually leave you without God.

22/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Wednesday 22nd April, 2026.

Ahab's Covetousness.
Text: 1 Kings 5:1-29

[2]. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

[3]. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

[7] Then Jezebel his wife said to him, “You now exercise authority over Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

[16]. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

[25] But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.

Ahab was king over all Israel, yet discontentment made him covet Naboth’s vineyard next to his palace. This is a result of the carnal mind it always says “I need more of this world” even when you have plenty, making you blind to what you have and obsessed with what others have. When Naboth refused because the land was his family's inheritance from the Lord, Ahab was very displeased. The carnal mind only measures life by physical gain, not by God’s order.

That discontentment quickly awakened the evil in Jezebel. When Ahab sulked like a child, Jezebel forged letters, used elders, hired false witnesses, and killed Naboth to seize his land. The carnal mind will lie, manipulate, and murder to satisfy lust (James 1:14-15). Because Ahab sold himself to do evil, God sent Elijah with judgment: “Have you killed and also taken possession?” Covetousness brought death to Ahab, Jezebel, and his house. The carnal mind brings death, but the spiritual mind brings *life and peace (Romans 8:6).

Core Point
Covetousness is one of the fruits of the carnal mind, it despises what God gave you, leads to possessing what isn’t yours, and ultimately leads to destruction.

Prayer Point
Lord, teach me contentment and kill every seed of covetousness in me before it births sin and death.

A carnal mind takes by force what a spiritual mind would trust God to give.

21/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Tuesday 21st April, 2026.

Ananias and Sapphira.
Text: Acts 5:1-29

[9]. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

[10]. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

[11]. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Ananias and Sapphira thought they could deceive God by bringing only part of the proceeds from their possessions to the apostles' feet. They forgot that God sees all the intent and action of man, whether in secret or in public. It is evident that their carnal mind was in operation, it thinks more about selfish desires, pride than God (Romans 8:7). Their sudden death (vs 5; 10) shows how serious God is about fake Christianity. The Holy Spirit gives life to the church (Acts 2:4, 47), but He also cleans out anything that will poison it (1 Cor 3:16-17).

While Ananias and Sapphira lied in secret to deceive God and His people, the apostles stood in public, preached Jesus, and said “we must obey God rather than men” even when threatened (vs 29). A carnal mind fights God because it loves human approval and control instead of surrendering to God. That mindset kills God’s work. But a spiritual mind obeys God, and that’s why the church kept growing despite trouble.
God won’t build His church on pride and lies. He builds it on people led by His Spirit (Gal 5:25).

Core Point
The carnal mind seeks human praise while the Spirit demands truth and surrender to God's will.

Prayer Point
1. Lord, kill my love for selfish desires and help me obey you rather than men.
2. Lord, let me be led only by your Spirit.

Be led by obedience, not carnal pretence.

20/04/2026

ST. ZACCHEAUS CHRIST APOSTOLIC EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNRISE MEDITATION
Monday 20th April, 2026.

I am for Paul.
Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

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[1]. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[3]. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

[4]. For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

[5]. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

“I am for Paul” mindset exposes spiritual immaturity, still carnal, driven by jealousy and strife. Forming camps around leaders proves we’re still babes in Christ, forgetting that Paul only planted and Apollos only watered. It is God who gives the increase, and He alone should be referenced above everyone.

Christ is the only foundation that can be laid (vs 11), so aligning with men instead of Him means we’re building on the wrong base.Carnality doesn’t just stunt growth m, it destroys. When we choose factions over unity, we damage the very temple of God, because His Spirit dwells in us (vs 16-17). “I am for Paul” tears down what God is building. Maturity means we desist from carnal divisions, stop exalting servants, and return to Christ as our Anchor. Only then can we receive solid food, grow together, and build what lasts.

Core Point
Faction over unity brings disparity among the body of Christ, which could be detrimental to the growth of the Church.

Prayer Point
Lord, deliver me from carnality and the spirit of division; help me fix my eyes on Christ alone as my foundation, so I will build your temple in unity and not tear it down. Amen!

Disparity tears down the body of Christ.