Now That’s a Word Right There!

New Book Release: Introduction to “Oil Before the Crown”

In January 2026, the Holy Spirit led me to read the Book of Psalms in the Bible during my personal devotion time. At the time, I did not know why God directed me to read this book. The psalms were not unfamiliar to me; I had studied the book before. As the days progressed, I realized God ordered my steps to meditate on the psalms again to strengthen my spirit for the spiritual warfare ahead. As I meditated daily on the words of each chapter, the Holy Spirit directed me to share my devotion “God Shots” on social media. The response was astonishing. So many people related to the scriptures and encouragement I shared.

Seeing the impact of my sharing on social media, I created this powerful devotional as an encouraging study of honest and raw emotions expressed by King David and other prominent biblical leaders. The psalms depict testimony of those who loves God, but are learning how to trust Him through real pain, fear, and uncertainty.

If you can relate, you are not alone.

God often used hardships to anoint people privately before He elevated them publicly. David’s life is one of the best examples of this. David was anointed to become king long before he received the crown. But before he received promotion from God, he had to go through spiritual refining. David had to first be the forgotten son left in the field to care for his father’s sheep while his brothers were considered worthy to fight in King Saul’s army. He had to be betrayed by those closest to him and hunted by people threatened by his calling. He had to be misunderstood in his suffering, and forced to fight many internal battles alone. Before he walked through the palace halls, David had to wander through the wilderness. Before he experienced his purpose, he had to experience pressure. Before he received clarity of God’s plan, he had to go through a season of confusion. And before his anointing could influence the masses he had to go through seasons of isolation. This refining process was tough, but it prepared David for a level of elevation he had never experienced as a shepherd boy. If God hadn’t prepared David to walk into his abundance, David would have fumbled his blessing like many of us do when we’re not prepared for the responsibilities that come with promotion.

If you are in a season that does not make sense, and you are tired of fighting battles no one understands, this devotional was created for you. It is not meant to replace God’s Word, but to be read alongside the Book of Psalms to help provide deeper spiritual insight, reflection, and personal application for your own life so you too can see what God is doing for and through you in your season of refining.

My prayer is that as you read, you are encouraged and reminded that God still sees you in the wilderness. He still hears you in the cave. He still strengthens you in hidden places. In seasons of rejection, betrayal, and waiting, He has not forgotten you. Your current season is not the end of your story; it’s your refining period. The same God who kept David through his dark season is still able to keep you through yours. May these devotions help you heal, reflect, endure, and grow deeper in your relationship with your heavenly Father. And may it remind you that the oil comes before the crown.

With the love of Jesus,

Christ Led Diva

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Are You Running from What God Has Called You to Do?

Ladies, I can raise my hand on this one! I believe the Lord has been calling me for years to start working in Ministry, but I was so caught up with what people might say or think about me; or how unequipped I felt I was. Because listen, if you have known me waaaaaay back then, or even a few years back you would feel me……But now I know that I had to go through those things to get to where I am now, so he could use every part of me. Other people saw in me, what I couldn’t see in myself. I’m so thankful that I have people who nurtured this side I’m on now; to help me learn, grow and study the Word of God with confidence.

The sooner we answer our calling in whatever The Lord has called us to do, the sooner we are able to reach back and help/mentor/minister to the ones that have been waiting for us. I believe God has already assigned people to us that we are supposed to help during this lifetime. God uses everything we go through in this life for His glory.

Isaiah 55: 8-9 (CSB): 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways”. This is the Lord’s declaration. 9 “For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

So, ladies let’s use everything the Lord has given us and apply it to our calling: The good, the bad, the hurt & pain and everything else we acquired along the way. Do you know how far our reach can be!?!? It’s time to overcome our shame, insecurities and the critics…. because in this day and age, everyone is saying something about anyone! We are no different…. especially as Christians in this society.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): For we are God’s Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the things he planned for us long ago.

Here’s the Ephesians breakdown from the NLT Life Application Study Bible:

“We are God’s Masterpiece (work of art, workmanship). He alone masterminds our salvation. He works powerfully and creatively in us. He uses us as his canvas. If God considers us his masterpiece, we dare not treat ourselves or others with disrespect or as inferior work”.

Let us show up and answer the call! Some of us are the change we are waiting to see in our schools, churches, political offices, corporations and neighborhoods. Let’s do it all and give God
the glory!

Yvonne Hobbs,

Growing Gracefully

He Who Lit the Stars

And He said, ‘my presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest’. Exodus 33:14

Father,

as another day comes to an end,

I am grateful for all the ways you have provided for me and protected me from harm.

I am humbled to know what the one who lit every star in the night sky cares for me.

I ask that you would grant rest to my body and mind,

that I would wake up in the morning refreshed and renewed with a heart ready to serve you.

Thank you for extending your wisdom and grace to me today.

When I stop to think about your unconditional love,

I am filled with awe.

How wonderful it is to know you and find rest in your arms tonight.

In Jesus name, Amen

Fresh Dew in You

O satisfy us in the morning with your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. ~ Psalm 90:14

Father, thank you for this new morning and the privilege of beginning the day with you.

As today unfolds, give me wisdom to handle every situation I encounter.

Let my speech be seasoned with grace and my thoughts pleasing to you.

I am grateful to know that regardless of where this day takes me, you will be right there with me.

There is no shortage of good things in your presence.

In Jesus name, Amen

Consecration: What is It and Why is it So Important?

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5

If you are a church attendee (or have been one in the past), the word “consecration” is probably familiar to you. Likely, this is something your church community implemented, usually during the month of January. Although this term is commonly referenced in a traditional church setting, you do not need to be part of a local church body to partake in spiritual consecration (although ALL believers should be a part of a local church body. But that’s a different conversation for a different day.) It’s for this reason I wanted to take a moment to take about consecration: what it means to the believer and why EVERY believer in Christ should partake.

What exactly is consecration?

Consecration is the spiritual act of setting aside your own personal pleasures for an extended period of time, to focus on spiritual growth and holiness (becoming one with God).

When should I do consecration and how long should I do it?

Consecration can be done at any time and for any duration of time. However, most church bodies dedicate the entire month of January for consecration. As the Bishop at my house of worship teaches, using January – the first month of the year – to do your consecration holds significant weight because it demonstrates to the Lord that you are using January – the first month of a new year – as a First Fruit; a sacrifice on to Him to show Him that He is first in your life. January is also a time in which we all “reset” after the holidays. Therefore, it is a great opportunity to get your spiritual disciplines (daily prayer, scripture mediations, fasting, etc.) back on track.

Why is dedicating time for consecration important?

Consecration can be viewed as a time of “purification” and “holiness”. It’s a time to get re-focused on who really matters (Jesus) and what really matter (our relationship with God and the purposes for which we’ve been created and called). When we kill the noise of “busyness” and make time to consistently communion with our Father in Heaven, we begin to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit living inside us more clearly. When there is no static on the line, we can clearly hear the Holy Spirit tell us what moves we need to make in this upcoming year to position us for success in God. I heard a preacher once say, “we cannot have success in God without (1) Obedience to His Word, (2) Submission to His Will, and (3) Accountability for our actions. The only way to achieve success in God, is to do things God’s way.” Consecration puts our spirits in a prostrate position to be disciplined in obeying, submitting, and being accountable. It puts us back in position of discipline to do things God’s way.

Also, when we place a hard stop on many of the secular things that keep our daily lives busy, we realize how much time we spent doing things that are not spiritually edifying us. In fact, much of the time spent in our day is not edifying in any sense. Scrolling social media hours at a time is not edifying us in any sense. Improper management of social media is a time waster and (in some cases) is toxin to our souls and spirits. Consecration will also reveal to us who and what need to be permanently removed from our lives, because they are growth killers.

What actions do I need to take to consecrate myself to the Lord?

Consecration requires commitment, focus, and discipline. We cannot fully consecrate ourselves to the Lord without these things. Once you are committed to being focused and disciplined, determine the time frame of your consecration. I believe January is best for the reasons I described above. Next, determine at what times you will pray, mediate on the Word of God, listen to worship music, and listen to the spoken word of God from a Bible teaching preacher. If you are fasting from social media, do not using social media to listen to preachers. This will only put you in a position of temptation to begin scrolling and looking at secular things. If possible, try to listen to a podcast or television sermon. Lastly and most importantly, get your heart in a prostrate position so you can hear and receive an audible word from God. This is not a time for you to share what God has spoken to you for someone else. This time of consecration is all about you so that God can continue to strengthen, grow, and do a great work in you!

What are things I should refrain from doing during my time of consecration?

Consecration should be a time set aside for holiness. Therefore, you should refrain from any and everything that is not edifying to God. This includes binge watching secular things on television and social media, listening to secular music, involving yourself in secular conversations that are not edifying.

Drinking any amount of alcohol is also not encouraged during consecration as we want to keep the temple holy and spiritual lines of communication between ourselves, and God open.

The refraining from sex with your husband (women) or wife (men) should be an agreed upon decision. While it is biblical to refrain from sex during consecration it is to be agreed upon and only for a short period (see 1 Corinthians 7:5).

You may also choose to refrain from eating certain pleasure foods or fast for a specific timeframe during the day. This is an especially good idea for us who NEED to detox after all that unhealthy holiday binge eating!

How You Do It Is Up to You

When and how you choose to consecrate yourself to the Lord, is ultimately between you and God. Just remember consecration is meant to be an intimate time between yourself and your creator that should not be taken lightly. Pray to God and ask Him how He would like you to dedicate yourself to Him and stick to that sacrificial time. Be disciplined in prayer, study, and fasting. When it’s over, you will feel a refreshing, an anointing, a power within you that you have never felt before.

See you in 30 days,

Christ led Diva