Jesus Christ Frees Murderer
Dead on arrival! With no desire to see 1976, I attempted suicide. A Christian woman 300 miles away saw me at death’s door. God told her I would not pass through until 2000 plus (Jeremiah 29:11). Her call had alerted officials in time. They were able to revive me. I hated God! A few months later I was found guilty of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. I had received what I deserved.
I was raised on a small family farm in northern Michigan. While riding the school bus at the age of seven, I was sexually molested by a senior. My life was never to be the same. I felt dirty and blamed myself. I began to build walls. I became a loner. I filled with hatred, mistrust, and anger as I withdrew into my dark world. I was dead inside.
I hated myself and knew others saw me as worthless. Buying friendship and respectability were all I knew. Teaching others became my only light. I attended college and became a teacher. Everyone said I was a natural. I felt some worth as a human. I found enjoyment in seeing young people learn. I did not want them to feel empty inside like I was. They deserved to relish life to its fullest.
I was always careful to do what was right so as not to draw attention. However, my past was still invading my present. I was leading a double life. Bitterness, jealousy, envy, loneliness and anger were my constant companions. I was a walking “time bomb!”
On June 10, 1975, I exploded! A man lost his life. Years of rage poured forth as I beat him to death. I begged God to bring him back to life as Christ had Lazarus. God did not answer thereby proving He did not exist. The twenty-six years in prison were an extension of my whole life. I remained emotionally dead.
In 2000 my life changed. The new millennium, began with the retinas detaching in both my eyes. The sight in the right eye is gone, and the left about 35 percent. Then I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. I was in total fear as I went through the motions of living. There was no purpose for my existence!
God had my attention! He sent Martin, a “real man of God” (NOTE: Martin is the man who wrote the previous letter to Leon, Prisoner Grateful for Alpha Ministries and later shared his testimony in 2006, From Cocaine to Christ). Hearing the gospel through his testimony had me feeling guilty for my sinful behavior (Romans 10:17). Sensing I was under heavy conviction by the Holy Spirit, Martin led me to the cross and Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:20).
The joy and peace left me breathless as the living Christ entered my heart. Cleansing tears wiped away years of misery and guilt. I WAS FREE! I was no longer a slave to sin (Galatians 4:7). For the first time in 61 years of life, I was a human of worth.
Thank you God for choosing me (Ephesians 1:4-5)! My only desire is to serve Jesus Christ by telling others how He can set them free. His love has transformed this angry murderer completely (2 Corinthians 5:17). Gone are any fears over my health—as they were given to Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30).
God is tearing down a lifetime of strongholds and walls. It is a slow process but God is patient (Philippians 1:6). My new life in Christ is not an easy walk, for Satan is a real adversary (Ephesians 6:12). It is the most exciting journey I have every embarked upon. I am at last alive! Sin nor prison bars are any longer barriers. I can soar on wings of eagles (Isaiah 40:31). I have eternal hope in my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bill — Originally published in February 2002
In Memoriam
Bill Dewey (1939-2015) passed away July 18, 2015 at Muskegon Correctional Facility. He was a “key man” for the Alpha Bible studies at Boyer Road (Carson City) from the early to mid 2000’s. God bless you, Bill! You are missed!
Featured in the Alpha Fall Newsletter, September 2015
