Welcome to the 2012 Resource Page for the Venue Church 21 Day Fast.

We have Partnered with fellow ARC Church, Celebration Church in Jacksonville Florida & hundreds
of churches across the globe in this fasting initiative.  Celebration Church has created a Resource
Site, complete with calendars, study guides, devotionals, videos, live conference feeds and much
more.  Go to www.awake21.org to access all of this valuable free content.  We are also making
some of this content available right here.  Just click below and download whatever you need. Keep
in mind that this is all Celebration Church's content, so all of the content is branded accordingly.  We
thank Celebration for making all of this valuable content so easily available.

Awakening 21 Day Fast Downloads:

Fasting Guide ........................... Download Now
Awakening Devotionals .......... Download Now
Example Calendar ................... Download Now
Zip Pack .................................... Download Now

WEEK1 DEVOTIOAL GUIDE

A primary aspect of the awakening lifestyle that produces spiritual growth is spending time in God’s Word. In addition to daily prayer, is also having a “Bible Reading Plan.” These devotions will encourage and strengthen you as you set aside time to seek God.

Just like prayer and fasting, reading your Bible is about connecting to God in a more powerful way. It’s not about an obligation, it’s about a relationship. When we engage God through reading His Word, we experience His very presence. God’s Word is living and active! As we read our Bible, we are drawing closer to God and positioning ourselves to hear from Him.

If you have ever attended one of our V-GROUPS you might be familiar with the SOAP model of scripture study.   A great, simple way to journal your devotions is to use the SOAP method, S.O.A.P. stands for:

Scripture
Read the daily passage and then identify a scripture from the passage that stands out to you.
Observation
Focusing on that scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what God is saying.
Application
How does this apply to your life right now?
Prayer
Thank God for revealing His truths to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so listen for what God wants to say to you.

Our prayer for you over the next 21 days is that your passion for God and His Word will be ignited, and that you will develop a hunger for His presence that is greater than ever before!  As you read these devotionals, keep in mind the following three things: read daily, read prayerfully and read with expectation. We encourage you to read the passages and prepare your own SOAP. God is prepared to reveal Himself to you, so get ready to be Awakened!

- Day 8 -

S. Read Mark 6

O. Notice in this account that Jesus never takes His eyes off of His disciples. Though He may not have been with them in the boat in that moment, it did not mean that He wasn’t aware of everything that was going on.

A. Just because we may find ourselves in a storm from time to time, it doesn’t mean that in the boat, rest assured in knowing that the Savior has His eyes fixed on you. Jesus does not know exactly where you are. Though it may feel like you are on your own
 
P. “Dear God, help me trust in You to a greater degree, even amidst the scariest storms of life. I know You have Your eyes on me and that You know where I am the entire time. Thank You for that assurance. In Jesus name, Amen.”
 

- Day 9 -

S. Read 1 Samuel 15

O. After being instructed by God to destroy the Amalekite nation completely, Saul decides his own way is better. He ends up sparing the life of the Amalekite king and keeping the live- stock that appealed to him. His disobedience caused God great sorrow.

A. Putting God first is really all about having the highest value for Him and what He says. Too often, we make our own adjustments to what God has said, thinking that we know best. Valuing God’s Word and trusting His ways means that when He speaks,we obey com- pletely. Ask God to empower you follow His truth, make the decision that His way is your way, and then just do it.

P. “Father, open my eyes to see that Your ways lead only to life. I will trust You with all of my heart. Thank You that Your grace empowers me to walk in Your ways. Thank You that I have not been left to my own ability, but am empowered to live in a way I could never live on my own. Amen.”
 

- Day 10 -

S. Read 1 Samuel 16

O. It’s time for a new king, Saul is out of control. The Lord sends Samuel to Bethlehem to find and annoint the next king. The shepherd boy who God has chosen is quite a suprise not only to his family but to the experienced prophet as well!

A. God has given us gifts and talents that He’ll use for Kingdom purposes. We must not let our short comings determine if we are ready or not. Let us only ensure our heart is fully committed to saying “yes” to God. We must be careful to not judge anyone based solely on outer appearances.

P. “Heavenly Father, I pray that today You will use me to speak encouragement to others and work to uplift someone. Please show me our short comings determine if we are ready or not. Let us only ensure our heart is fully someone with the heart to do what You have called them to do and give me the courage to come alongside them. Strengthen me with boldness to pray with them in spite of where they are in their life. Amen.”
 

- Day 11 -

S. Read Psalm 56-57

O. David decided to put his trust God when people were attacking him. He asks, “what can man do to me?” What a declaration of confidence! What a show of true faith and freedom from the fear of man.

A. Proverbs 29:25 says, “the fear of man brings a snare.” God wants us to place our trust in Him and fear Him. Not be afraid of Him, but have a healthy respect, esteem and honor for the Lord. When the Lord holds this place in our hearts, we don’t have to fear any other man.

P. “Father, when I am afraid of others or their opinions of me, I choose to trust in You. I fear, esteem, and honor You above any other. Thank You for peace and freedom from fear of man today in the name of Jesus.”
 

- Day 12 -

S. Read 1 Samuel 17

O. Saul was a seasoned warrior. Who would know better than Saul which weapons would be necessary to defeat Goliath? However, God wanted to deliver His people in a way that would leave no doubt that He had done the work. By using a shepherd boy with a small stone and a sling, no man could take credit for the victory. It was clearly God who delivered His people from Goliath and the Philistines.

A. When we rely on our own strength, we will glory, and we get to be a part of His plan. experience limitations. But when we trust in God’s strength, He gets the victory and the

P. “Father, putting my name on Your plan is like Saul putting his armor on David. Please don’t let me ever try to cover what You are doing. Let me be transparent, so that You always get the glory You deserve. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”
 

- Day 13 -

S. Read 1 Samuel 18

O. Even Saul, who tried to kill David, recognized the hand of God on his life. David’s success and favor was two-fold. First, David under- stood from his past experiences that his success was a result of the Lord being with him. Second, David was given the responsibility of leading the king’s men into battle against the enemies of Israel. David had determined in his heart to advance the kingdom of his king.

A. As you fast today, reflect on the victories that God has given you in your life and consider them as preparation and confirmation of the victories to come. Praise God for where He has positioned you in your life and commit to advancing the Kingdom of your King, Jesus.

P. “Dear Jesus, thank You for all that You have done and are going to do in my life. Help me to acknowledge You and receive Your grace in everything that I do. Allow my life to bring glory to Your name as You empower me to advance Your Kingdom in my world. Amen.”
 

- Day 14 -

S. Read Mark 7

O. The Pharisees and teachers of the law had been given the commands, statutes and teachings of God, but seemed to miss the whole point. Their adaptation of the law had become empty, hollow and heartless.

A. We are given a solemn warning that if we are not careful, we can fall into this same trap. It is easy to settle into a routine and focus on schedules and to-do-lists. Although we don’t mean for it to happen, the voice of God can get drowned out by these distractions. Let this time of prayer and fasting disrupt the regular patterns of life. Make time to meditate on God’s Word and listen to His Voice. You will experience clarity where there was confu- sion, and peace during the trial.

P. Father, I choose to disconnect from all the distractions to draw closer to You. Let my eyes be steady on what You have set before me and help me never lose focus on the things of substance that produce life. Amen.”
 

- Day 15 -

S.  Read 1 Samuel 19

O. The Israelites were under attack. Jonathan, an intercessor for David, saw the hand of God upon David’s life and knew that he stood blameless before God.

A. Our victories may cause jealousy to surface in others and may result in us being undeservingly persecuted. However, we can take comfort in knowing that Christ intercedes for us and gives us favor. He also surrounds us with people who will support and encourage us. We can’t always control how people treat us, but we can control how we honor God.

P. “Lord, help me to honor You as I seek to draw closer to You during this season of prayer and fasting. Even through persecution, allow my conduct to glorify You. In the name of Jesus, help me to intercede on behalf of others who may be dealing with judgment, jealousy, and unwarranted attacks. Amen.”