Seeking God: The Journey to a Deeper Relationship

What if seeking God was more about genuine connection than just knowledge? This episode invites you to explore the profound journey of making God the center of your life, emphasizing the transformative power of aligning our thoughts, actions, and desires with divine will. As the archangel Michael, I guide you through the art of sincere prayer—not as a list of requests, but as heartfelt communication that opens you to God’s wisdom and guidance. We promise you’ll come away with a renewed sense of how to trust in God’s timing, even when it seems like answers are slow to come, drawing inspiration from powerful biblical teachings.

Through the lives of King David and Moses, we uncover examples of earnestly seeking God despite imperfections and challenges. David's deep relationship with God, characterized by constant repentance and prayer, offers a relatable path for deepening your own spiritual journey. Similarly, Moses's direct communication with God shows the importance of seeking divine guidance in fulfilling life's purposes. We engage in a candid reflection on the distractions of daily life and how to prioritize time with God, envisioning this relationship as one of cherished attention and love.

The ongoing struggle between spirit and flesh is real, but by prioritizing spiritual practices like prayer and worship, we can grow closer to God. Jesus serves as the ultimate exemplar of devotion, showing us how to align our desires with godly intentions. This episode also addresses whether there's a right way to seek God, focusing on attitudes of sincerity, humility, and scriptural alignment. Finally, we reassure you of God’s unwavering presence in your life, offering hope and encouragement as you continue your spiritual journey, bolstered by community support and engagement.

Chapters

• 0:45 Seeking God
• 11:36 Examples of Wholeheartedly Seeking God
• 23:42 The Journey of Seeking God
• 36:52 Connecting With God in Daily Life

Transcript

Michael the Archangel: 0:46

Hello everyone, welcome back to The Godly Knight Report. I'm your host, Michael the Archangel. Now, in past episodes, we've explored how to build meaningful, God-centered relationships, and today we're talking about the ultimate relationship we're called to cultivate, and that is our relationship with God himself. Everything we've talked about has led up to this moment. So, if you've ever felt uncertain about how to grow closer to God or question if you're on the right path, this episode is for you. So, what does it mean to seek God and what does that look like in our day-to-day lives? In this episode, we'll explore what it means to seek God, how we can pursue Him in our daily lives, and we'll look at examples from the Bible of people who've walked this path. I'll share my own experiences and what I've come to understand about this journey. So, let's begin with a word of prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding us through this life and calling us closer to you. Each day. We ask for wisdom and understanding as we explore what it means to seek you and grow in our relationship with you. Help us to open our hearts and minds to your word and guidance, in Jesus's name, amen. So, let's start by defining what it truly means to seek God what it truly means to seek God. To seek God is to actively pursue a deeper relationship with him, desiring to know his character, his will, and his purpose for our lives. This goes beyond simply learning about God. It's about making Him the very center of our lives. In Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 13, God tells us you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. So, this verse emphasizes that seeking God is an intentional, heartfelt pursuit. It's a journey of aligning our lives, thoughts and actions with His. Seeking God is not a one-time event or something that you mark off on a checklist. It's an ongoing, daily decision to prioritize Him in everything we do, from our work and relationships to our challenges and joys. When we make God our primary focus, our lives are transformed from the inside out. So, what does this pursuit actually look like in daily life?

Michael the Archangel: 3:43

Well, let's talk about some practical ways to seek God that go beyond the usual routines. So first, let's talk about prayer and communication. Now, prayer is the foundation of seeking God, because it's our way of communicating with Him. But seeking God through prayer means more than just asking for things. But seeking God through prayer means more than just asking for things. It's about sharing our hearts, expressing our gratitude to him and listening for his guidance.

Michael the Archangel: 4:31

And in my life, that's something that I've noticed is a lot of people seem to think that praying to God is merely just asking him for stuff or, you know, coming to him to, you know, basically just give him your list of desires and that's it. And there's more to it than that, much more to it than that. So, prayer is supposed to be a conversation between you and him. Just like I've said in previous episodes, it's a conversation. It's you and God talking to one another. He's listening while you're speaking, but then, when you're done, you need to listen and wait for him to speak to you. Done, you need to listen and wait for him to speak to you.

Michael the Archangel: 5:09

That's pretty powerful right there, and that's something that a lot of us, including myself, sometimes have a problem doing is waiting for him to answer, because a lot of us, we get impatient and we want that answer from God and it doesn't come when we think it should come, and we tend to forget that his ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. You know his thoughts are higher than ours, and his wisdom is light years ahead of ours, and we think that we know the right way, we think that we know the right time and know the right answers. And we don't. And a lot of times we get tired of waiting and we strike out and do things on our own because we don't think God is moving, we can't see him working on whatever it is that we're going through at the time, and so we, as human beings, we're led by what we see in front of our faces.

Michael the Archangel: 6:13

And this reminds me of an old saying that I heard when I was a kid and I didn't quite understand it, but as an adult I definitely understand it now. And that saying is let me see if I can remember this correctly. Let me see if I can remember this correctly, don't be fooled by what you see. In other words, no, that's not the correct saying, it was phrased a different way. I know what it means, but I can't remember that correct saying. Um, but basically, uh, walk by faith, not by sight. Um, thank you, holy Spirit, for bringing it back to me. Walk by faith and not by sight. And so, um, the whole saying I heard as a kid was walk by faith and not by sight, because what you see with your eyes can mess you up, and that is so true.

Michael the Archangel: 7:17

When we look at everything through our own eyes rather than through the eyes of God, or with the wisdom or discernment that God gives us, yeah, we end up going by what we see right in front of our faces, and a lot of times, what's in front of our face is just a small snippet of the larger picture, and we can't see that larger picture, but God can. And so, we're looking at the small picture that we can see and we're expecting things to go based on that small picture that we can see, and we're expecting things to go based on that small bit that we can see. But we're supposed to live by faith in the fact that God can see the entire picture he works off of that. We don't. So, yeah, we ended up getting ourselves messed up based off of what we see.

Michael the Archangel: 8:07

In Philippians, chapter 4, verse 6, we're reminded do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Now, this verse tells us to bring everything to God in prayer, trusting him with our needs and concerns, while also giving thanks to him, and that's the key. When we pray with gratitude, and you have to pray with gratitude we draw closer to God's heart and align our desires with his. Whenever you pray, whenever you seek him, come with thanksgiving, come with praise Always.

Michael the Archangel: 8:51

Now, studying scripture is also essential and if you're like me, it can be a little difficult. Sometimes you kind of get lost in the different meanings, the different translations. But the Bible is God's word to us and through it we learn his promises, his commands and his guidance. We get guidance from his word. John, chapter 5, verses 39 through 40 reminds us that the scriptures testify to Jesus and by coming to him we find life through him. So seeking God through his word is about more than knowledge. It's about encountering him personally and allowing his word to shape our thoughts and actions. Now, one thing I've learned is that the Bible speaks to us differently at different points in our lives. Passages that might seem familiar at one time, you know in our youth, they take on a different meaning as we grow, as we get older, as we experience more of life, they take on a whole different meaning, and this shows us that the word of God is living, it's active, it's alive. Now we can also seek God through worship and praise.

Michael the Archangel: 10:21

Worship is not limited to singing on Sundays. Let's get that straight. Sunday is not the day that we set aside time to worship God. There's seven days in a week. If you know, like I know, you worship Him seven days a week. Now that's not always possible due to work and family obligations and emergencies and things that arise, and I get it. But Sunday is not the de facto day to worship and praise God. It's not. It's just not so. Let's just get that out of our heads now. When we acknowledge God, when we acknowledge who he is, his power, love andness, we draw closer to him. In Psalms, chapter 100, verse two, it tells us to worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. Worship lifts our focus from ourselves and brings it back to God, lifts our focus from ourselves and brings it back to God. It takes it off of us and our circumstances, our troubles, our issues, and it brings it back to that focus on God.

Michael the Archangel: 11:37

Now we've explored, you know, ways to seek God. So, let's look at some examples of individuals in the Bible who pursue God wholeheartedly. So, one powerful example of seeking God is King David. Now, David is often called a man after God's own heart, not because he was perfect because, trust me, he wasn't perfect. David made mistakes, but he sought God in every season of his life. When David was in distress, he wrote psalms crying out to God. Whenever he sinned, he repented and sought God's forgiveness, and that's an example for all of us.

Michael the Archangel: 12:23

When we sin, we need to repent and we need to immediately seek God's forgiveness. That needs to be done immediately. Stop what you're doing and go somewhere quiet. Get on your knees, if you can, and pray. Confess your sin to God. Ask him to wash you clean with the blood of his son Jesus. Ask him to forgive you and set you on the right path again. That part is super, super critical when it comes to a relationship with God, because God does not like sin. God detests sin. He hates sin. However, he knows that we are not perfect beings like he is, and he knows us, and his son Jesus died so that we didn't have to die in our sin. The blood of Jesus washes us clean when we come to him and we confess our sins, and when we do it wholeheartedly and openly.

Michael the Archangel: 13:42

But David was a prime example of that. He repented and he sought God's forgiveness every time he sinned. In Psalms 27, verse 4, David expresses his desire by saying one thing I ask from the Lord. This only do I seek that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. David's life shows us that seeking God means being honest, being humble and being completely dependent on him, no matter the circumstances. And keep in mind David was a king. David had everyone at his command at his disposal. He wanted for nothing. Everybody's life was devoted to taking care of King David. But yet, even though he was king, and he sat on a throne over so many people. He was so vulnerable to God, honest to God, humble in the presence of God and fully dependent on him. It's a reminder that our mistakes don't disqualify us from seeking God. Instead, they can deepen our relationship when we turn back to him. David's a very good example of seeking God.

Michael the Archangel: 15:20

Another really good example is Moses. Now, in Exodus, chapter 33, verse 13, Moses prays if you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Moses continually sought God's presence and guidance. Even when leading Israel through the wilderness, he was always looking to God for his guidance and seeking God's face. You know his relationship with God was so close that they spoke face to face as if you know they were best friends, as if you would do with your really close friend. They spoke face to face. Moses shows us that seeking God brings us closer to him and prepares us to fulfill his purposes.

Michael the Archangel: 16:25

And I can honestly say me personally. I know how hard it is to seek God sometimes. I know how life gets in the way. You may have that desire or that intention to set aside time to read your word or go somewhere quiet and talk with God, pray to God. You know you may want to go attend a church service. You know, spend time worshiping God, and then sometimes life gets in the way and then sometimes the things that you want to do outside of that they fight for your attention, they fight for your time If you have hobbies that you enjoy or people you love hanging out with, or maybe you're the kind of person.

Michael the Archangel: 17:20

You go to work. You just want to come home and just relax and zone out from the world. But the thing is, though and I can say this for myself too, because I've done it and I still wrestle with it from time to time and that is, we pour so much time into the things that we enjoy. We'll spend hours doing things that we want to do, whether it's watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, talking to friends, you know, going out places. You know, maybe you're going out on dates, maybe you're going to like football games, soccer games, or, you know, maybe you have like a club or something that you're in and you spend a lot of time in that. Whatever the case might be, we always find time to do those things that we enjoy doing, but for some reason, we always struggle when it comes to sitting down with God and spending time with God.

Michael the Archangel: 18:27

I want you to think about this for a minute. Envision this in your mind for just a minute. Close your eyes from me for just a moment. Close your eyes for me for just a moment. Now I want you to imagine, let's say, you have a son or a daughter or a loved one husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, and that husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, son, daughter, whoever that special person is in your life. Imagine they're sitting there watching a movie, they're playing a game, they're on the phone talking to friends, or you know they're out and about. And imagine you're standing there looking right at them and they don't even see you there. They're so focused on what they're doing that they don't even see you.

Michael the Archangel: 19:18

And you love this person with all your heart, all your being. You would do anything for this person, you would die for this person, and yet you're standing there looking at them, wondering, waiting. When are we gonna talk? When are you gonna spend time with me? You know I'm here for you. I love you. Why don't you spend time getting to know me? I want to be here for you Now. I want you to take that feeling that you feel Now. I want you to put God in your place. That is exactly what we do to him. He's standing there looking at us the whole time, wondering, waiting patiently. He is a very patient God. He's standing there, wondering, waiting. When are you going to turn to me? When are we going to talk?

Michael the Archangel: 20:19

That video game can't give you what I can give you. That alcohol can't give you the joy that I can give you. That movie can't satisfy you the way that I can. That football game can't bring you the joy that I can bring you. And we do this to him every day. And I say we because I'm guilty of it too. Do I try to make time for him? Yes, I do, I try to, but I won't lie.

Michael the Archangel: 20:48

Sometimes the things that I enjoy, they win out, and it's hard. It is hard, but, as I've done in the past, you have to die to those things. What do I mean by that? What I mean is I'll put it to you this way. You ever been at work or somewhere you didn't want to be? For most people it's at work, and you're somewhere you don't want to be.

Michael the Archangel: 21:19

And you're sitting there going through the motions and in the back of your mind you're like, man, that football game's coming on the night at 8. Can't wait to get home and see that game. Or, man, I got a date at 7. Oh, man, I can't wait to go see her tonight. Oh, I can't wait to spend time with him tonight. Or, oh, man, yeah, that new game comes out tonight. It goes on sale today at 6. I'm going to go get in line and go buy that thing right after work. I got to go do that. Yeah, why aren't we like that about God?

Michael the Archangel: 22:02

But the thing is you have to die to these things, and what I mean is you have to sit there and basically say to yourself no, this is what I intend to do, I intend to spend time with God. Does it hurt when you can't do what you want to do? Yeah, it does kind of hurt, but that's the process of dying to it. It's going to be hard, it's going to be somewhat painful, it's going to be slightly annoying, and it is because you're fighting with yourself. You're fighting with your fleshly, your carnal desires. You're fighting with those and in order to get to know God and get closer to God, you have to kill those desires. You got to fight them. You have to. It is difficult, very, but it is completely possible. I've done it. I truly have done it.

Michael the Archangel: 23:07

I have forced myself sometimes to sit and read the word for hours at a time, not touching my video games. And I'm a gamer. I won't lie to you, I'm a gamer, I love gaming and you know. If you want to know why I love gaming so much, send me an email at thegodlyknightreport@gmail.com and we can talk about it. But I have to sit there and I have to tell myself no, I dedicated this time to God and I'm going to spend this time with God.

Michael the Archangel: 23:42

And so I have to fight my mind, fight my body from doing the things that it wants to do, because, keep in mind, your spirit and your body they're not one in the same, your spirit and your body. They're not one and the same. Spirit lives within the body, but the body is not connected to the spirit. They're two different things. And so there's constantly a war between the spirit and the flesh, constantly. And you have to, as they say, die to your flesh, meaning you got to cut off your fleshly desires, the things that you would normally want to do or like to do. You got to brush them aside and make that time for God. You got to sacrifice, and that's what it is. It's a sacrifice, but you're making that sacrifice to God, and when you make that sacrifice to God, you're growing closer to him.

Michael the Archangel: 24:40

The closer you grow, the closer you grow to God, the more you will see that your desires become godly desires. You will see that you want to spend more and more time in his word, or praying or worshiping or whatever the case might be. You will start to feel your soul, your spirit, actually being nourished by the word or by the time that you spend with him. You can feel it, you really can him. You can feel it, you really can, and doing that it strengthens your relationship with god so that when hard times do come your way, they won't be as hard. You'll know what it is to lean on God. You'll have that relationship with him and be able to go to him and rest in him and take shelter in him and hide in the shadow of his wings.

Michael the Archangel: 25:50

But you got to put forth that time and effort. You got to die To the things of this world. You have to make time for him and, as I said before, it's a constant fight. Believe me, because it still is for me. I'm not speaking to you as someone who hasn't done it or doesn't still wrestle with it. I still wrestle with it Always.

Michael the Archangel: 26:16

So that brings me to the most powerful, the absolute pinnacle of an example of seeking God, and that's Jesus himself, though he was God in the flesh. And yes, for those who don't know, Jesus was God himself in the flesh. Here on earth, he modeled complete reliance and devotion to the Father. Now in the Gospels we see Jesus consistently seeking time alone to pray and connect with God. He did that often. Luke chapter 5, verse 16 says but Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. This was Jesus' way of grounding himself in God's will, especially before making major decisions or after intense ministry. So a really powerful example comes in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion. In Luke, chapter 22, verse 42, he prays Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done. Yet not my will, but yours be done. Probably one of the most powerful prayers ever prayed, because he set the example.

Michael the Archangel: 27:50

With that one, Jesus showed us that seeking God means surrendering our own desires, even when it's painful, and trusting in God. What could be more painful than knowing that you're about to die? He knew it. This wasn't a surprise to him. He knew his time was coming. He knew his time had come. He knew it and, like anybody else you would have, went to your parents and said you know, if there's any way you can help me, please help me. I don't want to die. But see, God is better than our parents, our earthly parents, because if He's willing, he can remove that problem. If He is willing, He can take away the possibility of you dying. However, if it is His will, then it will be done.

Michael the Archangel: 29:05

Jesus asked his father to take that away from him, but at the same time, he yielded to God's design. He yielded to God's will, and he said not my will be done, but yours. He surrendered his desire not to die and he trusted in God's plan. And that's what we have to do. Jesus' relationship with God, with his father, was so intimate that even in agony, even in the fear of death itself, he aligned his heart with God's will. In everything that he did, Jesus was fully submitted to God. From his teachings and miracles to his ultimate sacrifice on the cross, he sought God's guidance and direction, always Showing us that seeking God is a continual pursuit involving prayer, trust, obedience and self-sacrifice. He is the greatest example ever of seeking God.

Michael the Archangel: 30:25

Now, these examples lead us to an important question, and it's something you're probably wondering, and I'm sure I mean. I know I've wondered it too, and that is: Is there a right or a wrong way to seek God, you know? Is there a right or a wrong way to do that? So, let's check that out, let's see what that looks like. So, while seeking God is unique for each person and it is it's not the same for everyone. There are some key attitudes, though, that align more closely with biblical teachings, so let's start with sincerity and humility.

Michael the Archangel: 31:05

In Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 13, we're told to seek God with all our heart, which implies openness and honesty. We have to be vulnerable, be open and we have to be honest. If we seek God out of habit or selfish motives, well then we might struggle to fully experience his presence. Second, seeking God means aligning with his word.

Michael the Archangel: 31:39

So in John, chapter 5, verses 39 through 40, it reads you study the scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. So, in this passage, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders who studied the Scriptures thoroughly but missed the central truth. And the central truth is that the Scriptures pointed to Him, to Jesus, as a source of eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that, while studying Scripture is important, it's ultimately about finding life through a relationship with him.

Michael the Archangel: 32:29

If we only seek God for signs or experiences, we may overlook the guidance he's already given us in his word and, as some of you probably know, it's a foolish generation that looks for signs or experiences only. Lastly, we seek God through patience and faith, and that's hard to do. Being patient when you're seeking God because there is no set time when he's going to show up. There is no you know itinerary, no schedule you know for when he's going to show up. So you got to be patient and you got to believe he's going to show up. Going to show up. So you got to be patient and you got to believe he's going to show up.

Michael the Archangel: 33:22

In Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 31, it says but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. This verse encourages us to place our trust and hope in God, promising that when we rely on him, he gives us strength, resilience and endurance, and we definitely need those when we're waiting.  

Michael the Archangel: 34:04

Now, seeking God is often a journey, not an instant transformation, and trusting Him with the timing is essential. So, I'd like to reflect on the journey of seeking God and how it transforms our lives, and I'd like to give you my closing thoughts. Let's remember that seeking God is a journey, a continuous pursuit that brings us closer to his heart and helps us grow in his likeness. This journey isn't about reaching a specific destination, but rather embracing an ongoing transformative relationship. Reflect for a moment on what seeking God might look like in your own life right now. What steps could you take today to invite him into your daily routine, to hear his voice more clearly, or to let go of any barriers holding you back from drawing closer to him? Remember, seeking God isn't about perfection. It's about showing up, opening your heart and trusting Him with each step, even when the path isn't clear. When we prioritize God, he fills the empty spaces within us, providing strength, purpose and a peace that goes beyond understanding.

Michael the Archangel: 35:43

Now, whether you're just beginning this journey or you've walked with him for years, know that God's invitation to seek him is constant. It's ongoing, like any relationship. It takes time, patience and intention, but it's always worth it. And the beautiful truth is that, as James, chapter 4, verse 8, tells us when we draw near to God, he draws near to us. Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to take that next step. Whatever it looks like for you, seek him in the quiet moments in Scripture, in worship or in the act of loving others. Trust that he's already meeting you where you are Ready to walk with you, lead you and transform your life in ways you can't yet imagine Now.

Michael the Archangel: 36:53

If today's episode inspired you or gave you a fresh perspective, I encourage you to share your thoughts. You can reach out on our Facebook or Instagram page, or you can send me an email at thegodlyknightreport@gmail.com. If you'd like to support the work we're doing, consider a small contribution by visiting us at buymeacoffee.com/thegodlyknightreport. It helps us continue bringing this faith-centered content to you and, as always, know that your prayers and support mean the world to me. Thank you for joining me today and until next time, remember that as you seek God, he's already waiting for you with open arms. He always has been. Even when you aren't there for him, he's always there for you. Stay safe, God bless, and I'll see you in the next one.