Danny Panter

One

“…for the people had a mind to work.” — Nehemiah 4:6b

Some translations say, “the people were enthusiastic about their work,” but perhaps there’s an even better word: resolute. Nehemiah 4:6 doesn’t just describe motivation—it captures a profound unity and unwavering determination. Despite persistent opposition, the people pressed on because they shared a united and resolute commitment.

There’s something powerful—even sacred—about that kind of shared purpose. Unity with resolve is nearly unstoppable.

This is why Jesus, over 400 years later, would pray:

“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you… so that the world may believe that you sent me.”— John 17:21

Jesus’ primary missional strategy isn’t high-performing individuals with lofty platforms. It is a unified people—a Kingdom community with a mind to work together in pursuit of God’s mission. The world will know Him when we are one. Think about that.

A Holy Nation

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 3:1-5 (day six)

…you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,^[b] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

In his commentary on Ezra–Nehemiah, Christopher J. H. Wright notes, “Those who had put their faith in Jesus Christ (in the first century)… had been grafted into a people with an identity stretching back nearly two thousand years.”

As the Church, our identity is not disconnected from Israel—it is deeply rooted in the story of God’s covenant people. Through Jesus, we’ve been grafted into the same calling: to be a holy nation, a city on a hill, a light to the nations.

This is why the vision and unity displayed in Nehemiah 3 matter so deeply. Like the people of Jerusalem rebuilding their walls, we too must recover a shared Kingdom vision and embrace a shared Kingdom work. Now more than ever, the Church must recapture its missional identity as God’s set-apart people, shining with His light in a dark world.

Kingdom-Sized Praying

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 2:11-20 (day six)

As far as we know, Nehemiah never received a direct word from God instructing him to journey to Jerusalem and lead the rebuilding effort. But he knew God’s promises. And he certainly knew the story of Queen Esther.

During four months of fasting and praying, it may have dawned on him, just as it did for Esther (with Mordecai’s help), that perhaps God had placed him in his position for such a time as this. His kingdom prayer gave way to kingdom action.

That makes me wonder:

Are my actions limited by the scope of my prayers?

What might God do in and through us if we believed His promises like Nehemiah did—and boldly widened the reach of our prayers?

Will you join me?

Greater Work

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Oswald Chambers

Nehemiah reminds us that prayer is not an afterthought; it is the first and greater work.

God holds the whole world in His hands. Nations rise and fall under His sovereign will. And He is the God who keeps His promises.

Too often, I act first and pray later. But that wasn’t Nehemiah’s move, and it shouldn’t be ours. Before picking up tools or drafting a plan, Nehemiah dropped to his knees…for days. He still believed that God worked in the real world, not just as a divine therapist to help him process emotions, but as the sovereign Lord who answers prayer and moves history

When faced with a problem or challenge, what is your first instinct—to act or to pray? I still have lots to learn. How about you?

Infinitely More

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 1:1–3, 11 (day six)

¹¹So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:11

Most of the Jewish exiles chose to remain in Babylon. Nehemiah was one of them. Born in exile, he held a prominent position in the Persian court and likely belonged to a well-established community. Yet Nehemiah 1:1-3 shows that his heart remained connected to Jerusalem and to the people who had returned. When news came of Jerusalem’s continued ruin, Nehemiah grieved deeply. And without hesitation, he turned to God in prayer.

Nehemiah cared. He longed for renewal.

But pause for a moment: if Nehemiah, a faithful yet sinful man, could care that deeply, how much more does God?

God’s longing for renewal is infinitely greater than Nehemiah’s. His desire isn’t reactive; it’s redemptive. It flows from His eternal purpose to restore all things. While Nehemiah’s reforms, noble as they were, would ultimately fall short, God’s restoration does not. His work is lasting, complete, and fulfilled in Jesus.

Wonder

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 (day six)

The disciples may have been waiting for the Holy Spirit, but they had no control over when or how He would come. They couldn’t have predicted a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire, or that people from every nation would hear the praises of God in their own languages, culminating in 3,000 coming to faith in Jesus as Messiah.

It makes me wonder: do we sometimes limit God, not by lack of faith, but by lack of imagination and anticipation? Have we lost the wonder of what He can do through His Spirit at work in His Church?

The story of Pentecost reminds us: the Spirit moves in unexpected ways, at unexpected times, for the sake of God’s glory. May we recover our awe, open our hearts, and trust that He still moves with power today.

Gospel Directions

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day six)

One of the most beautiful things about the gospel is that it never stands still—it always faces two directions.

Inwardly, it transforms who we are, not just as individuals, but as a community. Through the forgiveness won at the cross, we are adopted as sons and daughters of God. Our identity changes. Our lives begin to reflect new characteristics—grace, humility, joy, and love—that make God’s Kingdom visible in the world.

Outwardly, the gospel moves. It cannot help but travel—from person to person, community to community—blessing, proclaiming, inviting.

So let’s ask:

What direction is the gospel facing in your life today?

In our church family?

May it shape us deeply—and send us boldly.

Believe

Re:Verse passage – John 16:5-16 (day six)

Sorry for the late start, friends.

I’ve been in New York City for almost a week now. It’s an incredible place—teeming with life, a constant rhythm of movement, and the hustle and bustle of every nation under heaven. Right now, I’m sitting outside a bagel shop on the Upper West Side. People are on the move—coming and going, laughing with friends, couples sharing breakfast, cyclists weaving by, runners, dog walkers, shop owners opening up for the day.

New York City is a microcosm of humanity in a way San Antonio is not. And it is good. It gives me joy.

Joy, because for a few days I’m among a dense crowd of people who—by their very existence—reflect the glory of God. Just being human. The imago Dei. And yet, most are far from God.

This week, I’ve been reminded of God’s deep love for people. We know that love because He sent Jesus—who died and rose again—to call people back to Himself. To walk with Him.

In John 16:8, Jesus says that God loves people so much that He sends the Holy Spirit to help them see reality clearly:

To recognize sin, to see righteousness revealed in Christ, and to know that a choice must be made about which kingdom they’ll belong to.

And here’s the amazing part: the Holy Spirit works through His church. We are His presence here. His light in places like New York City.

Wherever we are—in the bustle, the quiet, or the in-between—He’s inviting people home. Through us.

Breakfast is Served

Re:Verse passage – John 21:1-19 (day six)

Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. — John 21:13

What a moment. By now, it was clear that Jesus wasn’t spending every day with his disciples. His appearances were fewer—but every moment carried more weight.

This was the third time they had seen him since the resurrection, and the wonder had not worn off. How could it? He had walked out of the tomb. They could only stare at him in awe.

Things were starting to make sense—especially after the last encounter when he opened the Scriptures to them. But here, on the shoreline, came something unexpected. The risen Christ was making breakfast. And then he served them.

Even after conquering death, Jesus served his friends.

What a needed reminder: the greatest power in the cosmos is still found in humble love. The risen King didn’t demand to be served—he cooked and passed the bread. That’s the kind of power the world can trust. That’s the kind of Savior worth following.

Going Public

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:36:-43; John 20:26-29 (day six)

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,^[f] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ ⁴⁸You are witnesses of all these things. Luke 24:47-48

Your faith is personal — but it was never meant to be private.

The beauty of this resurrection encounter is Jesus’ nearness in the midst of fear and doubt. He even invites the disciples to touch him, to move them from uncertainty to belief. As Megan wrote, “Jesus is both our friend and good shepherd.”

But then notice: right after Jesus comforts and reassures, he commissions.

“You are witnesses of these things.”

That’s the movement of the gospel — from personal encounter to public witness.

Faith in Jesus is meant to go public. It’s not just a private assurance; it’s a Kingdom identity. It reshapes who we are in the world.

We are the presence and the proclamation of God’s Kingdom — by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s reclaim that public identity. Let’s live it out loud.