God’s Image, My Irritation: Learning to Love the People Who Frustrate Me

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  by Bart Denny I believe every human being is created in the image of God—the imago Dei . Genesis tells us, “God created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). That declaration comes before differences in nationality, politics, occupation, social standing, education, religious affiliation, or usefulness to society. People have worth because God made them. Their value isn’t something the government grants, the culture recognizes, or actions and opinions I personally approve of. I believe all of that. The harder question is whether anyone could tell I believe it by the way I treat people who frustrate me. James confronts this inconsistency with uncomfortable directness: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness” (James 3:9). That verse doesn’t allow me to separate my theology from my tone. I can’t praise the God whose image a person bears while casually belittling, mocking, or dehumanizing that person...
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A Dangerous Prayer

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Praying, "Your kingdom come" realigns everything!

by Bart Denny

When was the last time you had a moment that silenced the noise and clarified what really matters?

Maybe it came during a health scare, a late-night heart-to-heart, or a snowy Michigan road. In those moments, the trivial fades and the essential stands tall. And if we’re honest, we need those moments—not just in life but in our prayer life too.

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6 to begin prayer not with ourselves, but with God: “Our Father… hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done.”

Let’s focus on just those three powerful words: “Your kingdom come.”

It’s more than a phrase. It’s a spiritual posture. It’s a dangerous prayer.

Praying “Your Kingdom Come” Means Yielding to God’s Rule In Us

We often pray for the world to change, but Jesus starts by calling for change within.

Luke 17:21 reminds us: “The kingdom of God is in your midst.” That means the kingdom begins when we surrender our hearts to the reign of Christ. Not just our Sunday mornings, but our marriages, finances, thoughts, habits, and hopes.

It’s like riding a tandem bicycle. We might let Jesus pedal, but we often refuse to hand over the handlebars. This prayer says, “Jesus, You steer. I’ll follow.”

Reflection: What kingdom are you building that competes with God's? What would it look like to give Jesus control this week?

Praying “Your Kingdom Come” Means Longing for God’s Reign Around Us

Jesus didn’t teach us to pray, “Your kingdom come… in my quiet time.” He said, “on earth as it is in heaven.”

This is a prayer of mission. We ask God to break into our communities, schools, workplaces, and families with His righteousness, justice, mercy, and truth. Like a mustard seed, the kingdom might start small—a prayer, a kind act, a faithful invitation—but it grows into something that transforms lives.

Reflection: What’s one way you can be salt and light in someone’s life this week?

Praying “Your Kingdom Come” Means Anticipating God’s Glory To Come

The kingdom is here—but not yet complete. And so we wait and pray, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Like a bride waiting for her groom, we live with expectation. We live in the tension of hope—knowing our King is returning to restore all things.

Reflection: Are your prayers shaped by eternity? Are you living today with your eyes on the coming glory?

A Challenge for the Week

Let this be your prayer each morning:
“Father, let Your kingdom come—in me, around me, and through me.”

Rework your prayer list—start with kingdom priorities, not just personal ones.
Pray for your “one”—that friend, neighbor, or loved one who needs Jesus.
And remember: revival doesn’t begin with a crowd. It begins with one surrendered heart.

Watch the full message here: https://youtu.be/L3Hz3i1XMKg

Explore more at Pathway – A Wesleyan Church: https://www.pathwaywes.org

About the Author
Dr. Bart Denny is the lead pastor of Pathway – A Wesleyan Church in Saranac, Michigan. A retired naval officer, educator, and passionate church revitalization leader, Bart holds multiple graduate degrees in theology and leadership. He writes and preaches to help everyday people find hope in Christ and live as kingdom-minded disciples.

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All comments are moderated. I welcome respectful disagreement with my posts. Such discussions can cause me to consider perspectives I hadn't examined before. However, I also reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason. Why? Simple enough, this is MY blog, with MY thoughts, and I want to have a civil conversation that is, at all times, God-honoring in nature.

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