The New Year of 2009 has arrived ““ and with it, people are dieting and exercising”¦with the determination to lose those pounds and to be more physically fit. Gyms are put into use, diets are rigorously followed; physical health becomes important. Since we do this for our physical well-being, shouldn”™t we also do this kind of thinking and putting into practice for our spiritual well-being?

Zacharias was exercising his faith as he prophesied of Messiah:

(NASB) Luke 1:68a “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel”¦”

Zacharias”™ heart and mind overflowed with praise and blessings to God. He had gratefulness because he understood what God had done and was doing in the lives of His children. He was sending Messiah, a Savior”¦God remembered His promises!

(NASB) Luke 1:72-74 “To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant,

73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,

74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,

Might serve Him without fear,”

It is God Who gives action to His promises. It is God Whose mercy is activated. It is God Who remembers His holy promises which He gave to Abraham beginning in Genesis 12. It is God Who delivers you and me from our enemies. Because it is God Who has done all these things, you and I are to serve Him without fear.

What do you worry about, what makes you fear? Isn”™t worry saying God isn”™t able to be active in that area of your life? God says we are to serve Him without fear; remember it is God who is alive and active and we need to respond to Him.

(NASB) Luke 1:75 “In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”

We are to serve God without fear and serve Him (it is God Who sets you and me apart, that”™s holiness) and (it is God Who has made us right with Himself, that”™s righteousness).

It is God Who has done all this so that you and I serve Him without fear. As the Nike ad states “˜No Fear”™! That is exercising faith because it is God, it is all of God so we can serve Him all of our days.

In this year of our Lord 2009, how will you step into this day? Remember it is God Who has given you just what you need to live and serve Him without fear!

How shall you now pray?