Vineyard Fort Smith

06/01/2026

Day 1: The Essential Question

Devotional
Paul's first question to the Ephesian disciples cuts straight to the heart of Christian experience: "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" This wasn't small talk or theological curiosity. Paul understood that the Holy Spirit is the very essence of what makes someone truly alive in Christ. Many people today can recite creeds, attend services, and even serve in ministry, yet something feels missing. They have knowledge about God but lack the vibrant, transforming presence that should characterize every believer's life. The Holy Spirit isn't an optional upgrade to Christianity - He is Christianity. When we truly receive the Spirit, everything changes. Our prayers become conversations, Scripture comes alive, and we find ourselves drawn toward holiness rather than constantly fighting against sin. We discover that abundant life isn't about having more things, but about having more of God's presence filling every corner of our existence. Perhaps you've been a believer for years but find yourself going through the motions. Today is an opportunity to honestly examine your spiritual life. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead wants to bring resurrection power to every dead area of your heart.

Bible Verse
"Paul said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They answered, 'No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.'" - Acts 19:2

Reflection Question
If someone asked you Paul's question today, how would you honestly answer, and what evidence would you point to in your life?

Quote
Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?

Prayer
Holy Spirit, I want to experience Your presence in a fresh way today. Help me to honestly examine my heart and be open to receiving all that You have for me.

05/30/2026

We don't often try to "hype" our Sunday gatherings, but we believe God has something special in store for us tomorrow. Please make every effort to come - ESPECIALLY if you are in need of healing, breakthrough, or encouragement.

Come, Holy Spirit!

10:30AM
vineyardfortsmith.com

05/29/2026

Day 5: Writing Jesus a Blank Check

Devotional
Being filled with the Holy Spirit requires a radical surrender that many find intimidating. It's what could be called a 'high risk prayer' - you're essentially writing Jesus a blank check with your life. You're saying, 'God, I don't know what's going to happen, I'm not going to dictate the terms, I don't care about my preferences - I just want to be filled with Your Holy Spirit.' This level of surrender can feel scary because it means releasing control and trusting God completely with the outcome. But here's the beautiful truth: when we surrender everything to God, we gain access to His unlimited power, love, and purpose for our lives. The testimonies of those who have taken this step reveal radical transformation - freedom from depression, anxiety, addiction, and fear. The Holy Spirit brings deliverance and supernatural empowerment that we could never achieve on our own. Today, consider what it would look like to pray this high-risk prayer and trust God with the results.

Bible Verse
'When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.' - Acts 2:1-4

Reflection Question
What would need to change in your life for you to be willing to write Jesus a 'blank check' and surrender completely to His will?

Quote
It's a high risk prayer. You are going to write Jesus a blank check. You're going to say, God, I don't know what's going to happen. I'm not going to say what I want to happen. I don't care. I just want to be filled with your Holy Spirit.

Prayer
Jesus, I want to surrender my life completely to You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and use me however You see fit, even if it's different from what I expect.

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

Day 4: The Peter Transformation

Devotional
Peter's transformation is one of the most dramatic examples of what the Holy Spirit can do in a person's life. Just 50 days before Pentecost, he was a coward who denied even knowing Jesus three times before sunrise. He was so overcome by fear that he didn't even attend the crucifixion. Yet on the day of Pentecost, this same man boldly stood before the crowd and proclaimed that the Jesus they had crucified was indeed the Son of God. This wasn't just a change in courage; it was a complete transformation of character. The Holy Spirit didn't just give Peter boldness - He gave him supernatural insight, wisdom, and power. Peter went from being controlled by fear to being empowered by faith. This same transformative power is available to you today. Whatever weaknesses, fears, or failures have defined your past, the Holy Spirit can write a new story. Your greatest weakness can become the very area where God's strength is most powerfully displayed.

Bible Verse
'When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.' - Acts 2:1-4

Reflection Question
What area of weakness or fear in your life could God transform into a testimony of His power and grace?

Quote
He goes from, I don't know Jesus to this same Christ whom you crucified. God has raised from the dead and testified that he is the son of God. Isn't that a radical change?

Prayer
Lord, just as You transformed Peter from a denier to a bold proclaimer, transform my weaknesses into strengths for Your glory. Fill me with courage to live boldly for You.

05/27/2026

Day 3: From Natural to Supernatural

Devotional
Pentecost marked a fundamental shift in how God's people would live and operate. Before this moment, supernatural encounters with God were rare and usually reserved for prophets, priests, and kings. But when the Holy Spirit was poured out, the natural habitat of the church changed from natural to supernatural. This wasn't meant to be a one-time event, but the new normal for believers. Without the Holy Spirit's power, we're just like everyone else - limited by human strength, wisdom, and ability. But when we're filled with His Spirit, we gain access to divine resources that enable us to live beyond our natural limitations. This doesn't mean we become superhuman, but rather that we become conduits for God's supernatural work on earth. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives within us, empowering us to love unconditionally, forgive completely, and serve sacrificially. We're called to embrace this supernatural dimension of faith, not shy away from it.

Bible Verse
'When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.' - Acts 2:1-4

Reflection Question
In what areas of your life do you need to move from operating in natural strength to depending on supernatural power?

Quote
The natural habitat of the church went from natural to supernatural.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, I don't want to live a merely natural life. Fill me with Your power so I can experience and demonstrate Your supernatural love and grace to others.

05/26/2026

Why would Jesus choose Peter to preach the first Pentecost message? 🤔 The same man who denied Him three times became the one to boldly declare Christ's resurrection! This shows us that God doesn't disqualify us because of our past - He transforms us for His purpose.

05/26/2026

Day 2: When God Shows Up Unexpectedly

Devotional
The 120 believers gathered on the day of Pentecost had no idea their lives were about to change forever. They were simply observing a traditional Jewish feast, doing what faithful people had done for generations. Yet in that ordinary moment, God chose to do something extraordinary. This teaches us that God often moves in the midst of our normal routines and faithful obedience. You don't have to manufacture a spiritual experience or create the perfect conditions for God to work. He delights in showing up when we least expect it, transforming ordinary moments into divine encounters. The birth of the church happened not in a grand cathedral or during a planned revival, but among regular people doing regular things with faithful hearts. This should encourage us that God sees our everyday faithfulness and can use any moment to pour out His Spirit in powerful ways. Your breakthrough might come during your morning prayer, while you're serving others, or even during a routine church service.

Bible Verse
'When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.' - Acts 2:1-4

Reflection Question
What ordinary moments in your life could God use to reveal His extraordinary power and presence?

Quote
These 120 people are gathered together to celebrate the feast of Shavuot. I do not think for one single second that they knew what was going to happen to them that day. They were purely normal people doing a normal Jewish thing and God showed up.

Prayer
Father, help me remain faithful in the everyday moments, knowing that You can transform any ordinary day into a divine encounter. Keep my heart open to Your unexpected moves.

05/25/2026

Day 1: Signing Up for the Invisible War

Devotional
When you decide to follow Jesus, you're not just joining a religion or adopting a new lifestyle. You're entering into a spiritual reality that most people can't see. The moment you surrender your life to Christ, you become part of an ancient battle between good and evil, light and darkness. This isn't meant to frighten you, but to prepare you for the journey ahead. The enemy recognizes the threat you pose to his kingdom and the potential God has placed within you. He knows what God has planned for your life and will try to delay or discourage you from walking in your divine purpose. But here's the encouraging truth: while the enemy can create obstacles and delays, he cannot stop what God has ordained for your life. You're not fighting this battle alone or in your own strength. You have the Creator of the universe on your side, and He has already secured the victory through Christ's death and resurrection.

Bible Verse
'See, I have created the destroyer to work havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,' declares the Lord. - Isaiah 54:16-17

Reflection Question
How does knowing you're in a spiritual battle change the way you view the challenges and opposition you face in your daily life?

Quote
When you become a Christian and you're baptized in Christ's name, you. In a way, figuratively. Not literally, but kind of literally. You sign up for a war that you cannot see.

Prayer
Lord, help me understand that my struggles aren't just natural circumstances, but part of a larger spiritual reality. Give me courage to stand firm knowing You've already won the victory.