“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

I was dealing with incredible regret over past failures, the current course of my life and my lack of clarity for the future.

For days, I would sit crying in disbelief as I reflected on things I had done. I knew all the “forgiveness scriptures” but could not seem to bring myself into agreement with God's offer to let the past be the past. Carrying the weight of regret seemed like a more appropriate arrangement.

While carrying my burdens, I still needed to remain present. My daughter had to eat, laundry needed to get done, and bills needed to be paid.

One day, my cousin called. He had started a new business venture selling insurance and providing financial counseling and was in need of clients. He asked if he and his mentor could come by to practice his presentation. “Sure, why not?” I responded.

During our discussion, his mentor spoke about the great opportunity I had to set aside funds for my daughter as my beneficiary. There was nothing she would need to do. I would declare her as my beneficiary, and in due time, she would reap the benefits.

As I closed the door to our discussion, it was like God held me by the shoulders, sat me down and said, “We need to talk. Did you hear what he said about being a beneficiary? Do you understand what it means to be a beneficiary? Just like you think about leaving things behind for your daughter, so it is with Me. I not only thought about it; I did it. I have left treasures, promises and gifts for My children. Things they did not have to work for but they are entitled to because they are My children and My beneficiaries.”

I was speechless. Later, as I sat in the parking lot of the dance studio waiting for my daughter's classes to end, I rehearsed God's words to a friend. My friend said, “Typically, one has to die before their beneficiary is entitled to what they have left behind.”

Then it hit me, as though hearing it for the first time: Jesus' death sealed the deal. He made sure you and I would have access to His promises just like a beneficiary.

Tears poured down my face, but this time, they were tears of gratitude and not regret. How could I have ever doubted His love, the extent of His forgiveness or His grace? “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20, KJV) When His Word says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17), He means every word of it.

When you accept God, nothing in your past stops Him from loving you. You become His beneficiary and have access to everything He left in trust for you. Say it with me: “I am a beneficiary!”

Father, may we rest in the knowledge of Your forgiveness and grace. May our eyes be opened to the extent of Your love and provision. Remind us that we are not an afterthought but that before the foundations of the earth, You knew us and formed us. Please remove far from us everything preventing us from developing a deeper relationship with You. Do not hesitate to interrupt our days with Your Word or a song about Your goodness. For all that You are, God, thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (NKJV)

Think about where you are in your spiritual journey. Is there anything you can identify that is getting in the way of you fully embracing your rights as a daughter of the King? Will you give it to the Father today?

What are some of the benefits of being in a relationship with Christ that you can share with others? Let us know in the comments!

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