Author: Anastasia Irene

My name is Anastasia, and I long to bring praise and glory to Jesus Who redeemed my soul. I live in California with my parents and younger siblings. My mission in life is to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others wholeheartedly. My hobbies are spending time in God’s Word, listening to and making music for Jesus, God's creation--particularly birdwatching--spending time with family and friends, reading and writing, ministry, and more.

The Shadow of His Wings

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Poetry, Prayer, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Psalm 91:14-16

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91 is such a beautiful psalm. It is filled with promises for protection and security. It is richly rewarding to take this psalm and sit with it, praying God’s promises over our lives.

So many beautiful word pictures are used in Psalm 91, especially in the original Hebrew. For example, the word “wings” can be used to refer to a garment or a bed skirt. I think that this is such lovely imagery. Next time you get into bed and pull up the covers, rest for a moment and picture yourself hidden in the shelter of God’s wings. Let all your cares and fears melt away in His presence.

I wrote this poem based on Psalm 91 in 2020, when the pandemic shattered our hopes for the year, and we battled fear in our hearts.

All around the world falls apart; calamity destruction brings.

But I fear not, for I am hidden in the shadow of Your wings.

They panic in fright, they have no rest,

But God is my refuge and my strong fortress.

Pestilence flies, consumes in the night,

But why should I fear? My God is greater in might!

For He promised to defend me, protect me from harm;

And forever I am saved by His outstretched arm.

He is my shield and my dwelling place–

With Him I am able all trials to face!

So keep me, dear Lord, and protect me too.

Under the shadow of Your wings, I am safe with You.

God’s Judgment: Isaiah 47

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Scripture, Theology

Isaiah 47 is a prophecy about God’s impending judgment on Babylon. His people had been taken captive by Babylon, according to His will, but Babylon had overstepped its boundaries and was unnecessarily cruel and evil. Babylon was known for its sorceries and enchantments.

The modern Christian tends to picture God only as a God of love. And while our God is certainly the God of love, we often forget that although He is Love, He is also the God of judgment and justice. It doesn’t make sense to our minds. But it doesn’t have to, since God is God, and He is too great and wonderful for us to comprehend.

God’s judgment will one day be poured out on all those who do not believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Like the judgment meted out on Babylon in this chapter, this judgment will be terrifying, unescapable, unquenchable, and intensely degrading. Everyone who does not believe in Jesus will be condemned to eternal punishment in hell.

But praise the Lord, there is a way of escape! Verse 4 is a comforting clause. “As for our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts is His name, The Holy One of Israel.” Our Redeemer’s arms are still open. Those who come to Him, He will by no means cast out. He will save them with an everlasting salvation. Jesus died so that we who trust in Him may never experience God’s judgment. He took it for us! Alleluia to our Savior!

Breath of Heaven: Mary’s Song

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Art, Christian holidays, Holidays, Music, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology, Womanhood

When I was younger, I thought that God’s plan for Mary was the very best calling for any woman who has ever lived and that nothing else could ever be as special as being Jesus’ mother. At the root of these thoughts lay the deep desire to do great things for God.

Last year, as I was listening to the Christmas song “Breath of Heaven”, which speaks of the Nativity from Mary’s imagined perspective, I gained fresh insight. As Mark 3:35 says, “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” Only one woman was called to be Christ’s literal mother, but each and every believer, in a very special way, carries Christ within them. He dwells in their heart.

Just like Mary, we wonder what we’ve done that the Father has chosen us to bear the image of His Son. We wonder if wiser people could have taken our place, and yet we offer all we are to His plan.

As Mary did, may each of us strive to surrender entirely to the Lord and say “Behold, the …servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to Your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Luke 1:45 NKJV

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

God’s sovereignty: Isaiah 45 & 46

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

God’s omniscient sovereignty is clearly on display in Isaiah 45 and 46. These chapters are mainly addressed to King Cyrus, whom God named and destined to free His people hundreds of years before his birth.

Our God is sovereign. He knows the past, the present, and the future through and through, and He doesn’t just know them–He is in perfect control! Nothing in heaven or on earth can thwart His will or intercept His plans. This should be greatly encouraging to us as we face great uncertainty all over the world.

Isaiah 45 reads, “I form the Light and create darkness; I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.” God is sovereign, not only over light and peace, but also over darkness and calamity. His ways are higher than ours, and His perfect plan rules behind every step of our journeys.

Isaiah 46:11 says, “…Indeed, I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.” This is one of the clearest verses in Scripture about God’s sovereignty. It teaches us that God is God, that He does as He pleases, and that He keeps His promises.

When we face fear and uncertainty, we can be assured that God is still on His throne, and He is sovereign!!

Isaiah 44: God’s Forgiveness and Power

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Praise and Worship, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Isaiah 44 is a beautiful chapter that displays numerous attributes of our God. In verses 1-4, we find the Lord promising to pour His Spirit on His children. In verses 6-20, God reminds us that He is God and that idolatry is useless.

One of the key aspects of God’s character that is shown in Isaiah 44 is His great forgiveness. In verses 21-23, God tells Israel that He has formed them, that they are His servant, and that they will not be forgotten by Him. Then the Lord says that He has blotted out, like a thick cloud, their transgressions! He has obliterated their sins! He begs His people to return to Him, for He has redeemed them! This is such amazing news that all of creation is told to sing and shout for praise and joy! The Lord’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ is so marvelous and glorious that all of creation is in awe! May we accept the gift of His incomprehensible grace and forgiveness and spend all our days in humble service to Him.

God’s power is also spoken of in verses 24-28. It is seen in creation, for He has stretched out the heavens and spread abroad the earth by Himself. It is shown when He frustrates the wicked and confirms the word of His messengers. It is evident in His care for His people and His city Jerusalem. It is displayed in His sovereignty over all. Our God is all powerful!

God’s Promises: Isaiah 43

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Praise and Worship, Prayer, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Isaiah 43 is such a beautiful chapter. It is packed with priceless promises to each of God’s children throughout all time.

Fear not, God says! He has redeemed you, and He calls you by your name. If you are a true believer, your name is in His book of life, and you are His. No one can ever take you away from God, separate you from His love, or snatch you out of His hand. The first promise God wants us to remember is that we are His.

The second promise written in this chapter is written in verse 2. God will always be with you. Whether you pass through overwhelming oceans, floods of blessing, or scorching fire, He will be by your side. He has a purpose behind all pain and suffering, and you will never be alone. He will never leave you nor forsake you!

There are many more precious truths in the following section, but the one that particularly stands out is in verses 15-17. In verse 15, since the Lord is called our Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and our King, we infer that He will never sin or change; He will never forsake His creation, and He reigns sovereign over us all. In verses 16-17, God promises to work miracles and part the sea to make a way for His children. He will also judge those who rise against us, and He will not let them stop Him from accomplishing His purposes.

One of my favorite promises in this chapter is hidden in verses 18-19. God is doing a new thing in our lives! He will make our wilderness of wandering into a road to glory, and He will make rivers of joy spring up from our deserts of pain! He is doing a new work of restoration! Thus we can leave our past, figuratively “burn our ships,” and step into the new day God is providing! It is a continual process of consciously and willingly leaving the past, but God is faithful, and He will help us.

The last promise of this chapter–but perhaps the greatest one–is that of forgiveness. (vv.22-28) Just like God’s people Israel, we have rebelled against God and wearied Him with our sins. But if we confess, He blots out our sins, and He will not remember them! Isn’t that amazing? He will purposefully forget our iniquities through the blood of His Son! Alleluia!!

For what reason does God do all this for us? The answer is found in verse 21. God formed us for Himself, that we may declare His praise and glorify His name!! May we do so today!!

God’s righteousness: Isaiah 42

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Scripture, Theology

God is righteous! He is perfectly holy. No sin could ever come near Him. Because He is so holy, He must judge our sin.

Isaiah 42 gives us a wonderful picture of God’s righteousness and our response. God in His holiness punished His people for their many transgressions. He gave them a righteous law, but they sinned and rebelled against it. Therefore, for His righteousness’ sake, He had to punish their iniquity. He gave them into the hand of their enemies.

However, in God’s righteousness, He did not punish His people forever, but instead kept His holy covenant. So He made a two-fold plan. Part one included delivering His people from Babylon. Part two of the plan is for all people of all times–it is God’s righteous plan to conquer sin fully and eternally save the faithful ones whom He predestined. This stage of God’s plan is referred to in verses 1-8. It was accomplished through Jesus Christ! Now God imparts His righteousness to us through the blood of His Son.

What is our response? Verses 10-12 tell us that we should sing to the Lord, thanking and praising Him for His great righteousness and for making a way for our salvation!

God’s Uniqueness: Isaiah 41

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Isaiah 41 is a chapter about God’s care for His people and His uniqueness. God is showing the Babylonian exiles that He has all power to save them from captivity, and that they should not fear because He is SO much greater than the idols and leaders of Babylon.

The latter part of this chapter is, basically, a one-sided dialogue between God and idols as He proves His power to His people. Why would they want to worship something that is just a useless block of wood, in contrast to the living and powerful GOD?

God urges the idols to predict the future. They, of course, cannot. Then, He asks them to do something–anything–so that the Israelites can see that they are truly to be revered. But the idols remain perfectly silent. They cannot even move—they are useless blocks of wood! They are certainly not worthy of even a second glance, let alone worship! They cannot deliver anyone!

God is God, and He alone is God. There is no one else who can measure the heavens with His hand and weigh the mountains! There is no one and nothing else that can save us or hear our prayers.

Let us be reminded that an idol is not just an image made of wood or stone. Properly defined, an idol is anything that is more important to us than God. God is preeminent, and He cannot take second place. If we allow anything in our lives to take His place, if we love anything better than Him, that becomes an idol. God will not stand for idolatry. He is the one and only God.

Let us examine our hearts and ensure that God is enthroned in our hearts and lives!

Isaiah 42:8 (NKJV)
I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.

God’s Greatness: Isaiah 40

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Isaiah 40, addressed to the Israelites returning from Babylonian captivity, is one of the most beautiful chapters in the Bible, one that helps us gain so much knowledge about our God. We have the tendency to diminish God’s greatness in our minds, but that is because He is so powerful that our minds cannot even come close to comprehending it!

God holds the oceans in the palm of His hand. He measures the whole heavens with a span, which is the distance between His thumb and little finger! Have you ever gotten weary of dusting your house? God measures all the dust of the earth in a peck! He even weighs the mighty mountains and hills in scales.

No one has taught our great God. He always has been, and He always will be. He knows the stars and counts them all by name.

And yet with this incomprehensible might, God is our God and He tenderly leads and guides us like a loving shepherd. As the psalmist says in Psalm 8, what is man that He is mindful of us? Yet He not only sees us; He also loves and cares for each one.

Our God is so great–our problems are nothing compared to Him. He never grows tired or weak, and He stands ready to impart His everlasting strength on those who wait on Him.

A few years ago, I did an exercise that helped me realize how amazing our God is. This exercise is based on 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” I wrote out all the attributes and names of God I could think of. Then, I drew a circle around them and shaded it to give the impression of a dim mirror. It brought me to tears to realize that everything we know about God is just a dim reflection of what He truly is like. To think that we will spend all of eternity learning more and more about Him!

What could our response possibly be? After studying this chapter, we should long to be recipients of His incomprehensible love and grace rather than His powerful judgment. The only way to do this is by believing in His Son Jesus Christ.

This chapter also should propel us to worship and adore our God! He is worthy of all our praise! Let us sing a new song of worship and exalt Him! Let us bow before Him in reverence and awe.

Knowing that our God is so amazing, let us also have faith that He is all-powerful and can do all things. Our fears can melt away in light of our great Creator. As Asa said in 2 Chronicles 14:11, “…’Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!'”

Alleluia to our omnipotent God! May we worship and serve Him with everything in us!

Hope is an Anchor

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Poetry, Scripture, The Christian Walk

Hebrews 6:19-20 (NKJV)
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

What hope is the author of Hebrews referring to in this passage? The previous verse introduces the topic of hope. The author says that since it is impossible for God to lie, “we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” I love the phrase “fled for refuge”. It reminds me of Psalm 91. What a beautiful picture–we are fleeing for the refuge of God and grasping the Living Hope, Jesus Christ. The anchor of our hope is sure and secure, and instead of being planted in shifting sands, it is rooted firmly on the Rock of Christ.

Verse 20 speaks of Jesus as a forerunner. Looking at this word in the original Greek reveals its deeper meaning. This word was used in the 2nd century AD to describe smaller boats sent into the harbor by larger ships which were unable to get there themselves due to stormy weather. The smaller boats carried the ship’s anchor through the large waves, paving the way and securing it for the ship.

This is what Jesus Christ did for us! Not only is He our anchor, but He also took our anchor and secured it at port. Therefore, there is no question as to where we will eventually land.

I wrote this poem about our hope in Christ.

Hope

The waves toss and turn, full of fright.

The storm rages in my deepest night.

And yet, my anchor stands firmly in port–

My anchor is rooted on Heaven’s shore.

Without hope, we couldn’t live, so

My hope is in Christ, this I know:

He’ll never fail me, He’ll always stay true.

He is a refuge for me and for you.

To place hope in earthly things is vain–

They are passing away and futile the same.

But Christ is eternal, immutable, tender with His sheep;

He is always the same; His promises He’ll keep.

He took my anchor, that anchor of hope,

And He paved my way, securing my rope.

He dropped my anchor firmly in placid waters,

And blazed the trail for me to follow.

So though the storms are tempestuous, and the waters roar,

My hope, my confidence is steady as I make my way to heaven’s shore.