Drawn by the Thread

Episode Title: Unity Expanded, When God Changes “We” Episode Summary In this episode, we continue our study of unity by moving into Acts of the Apostles 10, where God reshapes Peter’s understanding of who belongs in His Kingdom. What begins as a vision about food becomes a seismic shift in identity. Through repetition, obedience, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, God expands the definition of “we” to include the Gentiles, not as an afterthought, but as His design. This episode explores: Why this moment would have been incredibly difficult for Jewish believers The significance of God repeating the vision three times How Peter’s story of denial and restoration echoes in this passage Why the Holy Spirit falls before the Church can debate the decision What Acts 10 teaches us about division in our culture today Unity in Christ is not built on sameness. It is built on the shared gift of the Spirit. Where We’ve Been Jesus’ prayer for unity in the Gospel of John 17 Unity under persecution in Acts 4 Now: unity expanded beyond ethnic and covenant boundaries in Acts 10 Key Themes from This Episode 1. Identity Before Expansion For thousands of years, Israel had been: Chosen Set apart Defined by covenant markers, including food laws Gentile inclusion would not have felt like simple celebration, it would have felt like loss, destabilization, and confusion. 2. The Vision and the Repetition Peter: Is hungry Falls into a trance Sees heaven open Hears the command: “Kill and eat.” God repeats the vision three times, confirming its weight and necessity. This repetition echoes: Peter’s three denials Jesus’ three restoration questions after the resurrection The same grace that restored Peter now reshapes him. 3. Obedience Before Understanding Peter does not immediately understand the vision.Clarity comes through action, welcoming Gentile messengers into his home. Sometimes theology unfolds as we obey. 4. The Spirit Falls While Peter is still preaching, the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius and his household. This is not theological compromise, it is divine confirmation. Unity is not negotiated. It is initiated by God. 5. Then and Now Acts 10 still speaks to us. We live in a culture shaped by: Political division Social fragmentation Generational tension Even division within the Church Acts 10 invites us to ask: Who is “we”? Who have we unintentionally labeled “them”? Scripture Referenced John 17 Acts 4 Acts 10:9–42 Ephesians 2 Reflection Questions Where might God be expanding your understanding of “we”? What assumptions about belonging might need re-examining? Are there places where obedience may need to come before full understanding? Closing Thought Unity is not built on ethnicity, background, or shared culture.It is built on the shared gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 10 shows us a God who is patient with His people, even when the lesson stretches them beyond what feels comfortable.

Podcast Show Notes: Ezer—Why Helper Was Never a Weakness Podcast: Drawn By The Thread Host: Nita Wilkinson Episode Overview In this episode, we deconstruct the traditional English translation of the word "helper." By returning to the original Hebrew, we discover that the woman was never intended to be a "junior assistant." Instead, she was created as a vital, powerful force; a compliment to man, the perfect "fit". The Scriptural Journey of the Ezer We trace the word Ezer through the Old Testament to see how it is consistently used for God and military rescue, then look at how that strength carries into the New Testament. The Foundation (Genesis 2:18): God identifies that it is not good for man to be alone and promises to make an Ezer Kenegdo—a "helper suitable" or, more accurately, a "saving power equal to him." The Rescuer in the Psalms: Psalm 33: Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our Ezer and our shield. Psalm 70: A plea for urgent help: "You are my Ezer and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay." Psalm 121: "My Ezer comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 124: A reminder that if the Lord had not been our Ezer when men attacked us, we would have been swallowed alive. The Help in Despair (Hosea 13:9-10): God highlights that even when Israel is destroyed, He remains their Ezer—their only true help and King. Strength in Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10): We wrap up with Paul’s thorn in the flesh, reminding us that being an Ezer isn't about human perfection, but about God's power being made perfect in our weakness. Key Takeaways Ezer is a Military Word: It is used 21 times in the OT; 16 times it refers to God, and several others refer to military aid. It means protector, rescuer, and shield. Not Subordinate, but Essential: An Ezer is called upon when someone cannot succeed on their own. The woman was created because man needed a complement for his strengths. Reflecting God’s Character: When a woman embraces her identity as an Ezer, she is reflecting one of the most frequent titles God uses for Himself. Connect with Nita Website: nitawilkinson.com Instagram: @inthe.whisper Facebook: Nita Wilkinson

Context in Bible study helps us see God's message more clearly; to the original audience, to the world, and to us today. Join me as we unpack what that looks like in this week's episode. For more: Webpage - https://www.nitawilkinson.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nita.r.wilkinson IG - https://instagram.com/inthe.whisper TikTok - @nwilks24

Check out this woman who is bold, and confident and yes, wise. She is such a great example to us. Listen in and find out the outrageous move she made to save her town. Web page - www.nitawilkinson.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nita.r.wilkinson IG - https://www.instagram.com/inthe.whisper/

Join Shelly Ginter and me as we dive into the story of the adulteress woman. We have questions and theories about this passage, but we also find Truth, the truth that reminds us of the importance of mercy and repentance.

John 17 is my favorite prayer in the Bible. Jesus' prayer is a beautiful depiction of his authority and his love for his disciples and us. Listen in as Kandie Horton and I talk about this prayer and all it means. https://www.nitawilkinson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Inthe.whisper1 https://www.instagram.com/inthe.whisper/

There is so much division in our world. There is so much division within the church. Today, we look at a story about the courage and faith of the second man on the cross. The man, just hours away from death, soon found himself in paradise. Let's look at how this story simplifies the journey to heaven. website: www.inthewhisper.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Inthe.whisper1 IG: https://www.instagram.com/inthe.whisper/ sign up for WEdnesday Whispers: https://www.inthewhisper.org/email-sign-up

It's been a minute since we had a new podcast, and this one is a treat. Listen in as Hayley Palmer shares her view of beauty through God's eyes. Hayley does make-up through Hayley Palmer's Make-up. She also offers The Temple, sessions that our bodies as the Temple. You can find Hayley the following places: web page - https://www.hayleypalmermakeup.com/?fbclid=IwAR1BBvNwwhfjfsubbHnsYLDEslVKPqEMLc5Qdz7dZTn2NnZJzgQeutmS2v8 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/haylypalmer IG - https://www.instagram.com/hayleypalmermakeup/ More about In the Whisper www.inthewhisper.org https://www.instagram.com/inthe.whisper/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/333486757491262

Do you have a Psalm that you claim for your life? My Mom encouraged me to do that years ago. So I chose Psalm 34. Learn more about that process and Psalm 34 in this weeks In the Whisper Podcast. Scripture we discuss: Psalm 34, 46, 112, 23 and 91 www.inthewhisper.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/333486757491262 https://www.instagram.com/inthe.whisper/?hl=en https://twitter.com/Nita62 You will find the Silence and Solitude Retreat here: https://www.inthewhisper.org/basic-01

Lori's story is nothing short of a miracle. I love how God told her it was time to write her book, and even asked her why so many others were using their story and she wasn't. I am inspired by her faith and awed by her strength in the face of so much that could have caused fear. You will love her book, it comes out Friday. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Choices-When-Faced-Challenge-Choice/dp/1685560873/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= More about Lori: Website: www.lorivober.com Blog: www.fromzerotothree.blogspot.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.vober IG: https://www.instagram.com/lorilonghorn99 To find out more about In the Whisper check out: Website: www.inthewhisper.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/333486757491262 IG: https://www.instagram.com/inthe.whisper/

Dr. Bengtson practiced neuropsychology for two decades before she faced her own journey of clinical depression. Join us as she shares her story of finding hope in all circumstances. I know it will encourage you! Listen in as she discusses how her bout with clinical depression changed the trajectory of her first book, Hope Prevails. Dr. Bengtson is gifted in her compassion, Biblical knowledge and has an extraordinary story that is encouraging people all over the world. Find Hope Prevails here: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Prevails-Insights-Personal-Depression-ebook/dp/B01AO3OQHK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AZ0YU9TM7ZCZ&keywords=Hope+Prevails&qid=1645312764&s=digital-text&sprefix=hope+prevai%2Cdigital-text%2C1168&sr=1-1 Find Breaking Anxiety's Grip here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PZXT9TQ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 You can find more of her writing on her web page: https://drmichellebengtson.com/ Her podcast here: https://apple.co/2madPRo Facebook - https://facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson) LinkedIn - https://linedin.com/DrMichelleBengtson/ Instagram - https://instagram.com/drmichellebengtson Pinterest - https://pinterest.com/Drbhopeprevails/ YouTube - https://youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson

I always love my time with Kandie. The two of us can laugh like crazy! We've known each other for 25 years and shared the joy, the grief and mundane of life. Listen in as she shares stories about Brad, her husband, who died of esophageal cancer a few years ago. He was a big man with a big love for Jesus. He was bold and loud in his faith, changing the lives of young men everywhere he went. He knew how to do the hard and holy like no one else I know.