Lifewalk with Christ God: Sincerity Over Sacrifice: Finding the Heart of God in the New Year

Welcome back to LifeWalk with Christ God. In this first episode of 2026, Michael Bahas reflects on the recent holiday season and challenges us to move beyond the "routine" of religion to find a genuine, heart-led relationship with the Creator.

As we pack away the Christmas decorations, Michael addresses common misconceptions about the holiday’s origins, reminding us that the date matters far less than the incarnation—the moment God entered our flawed world to bridge the gap we couldn't cross.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Meaning of Christmas: Why the "pagan origins" debate often misses the point of celebrating Christ's birth and the second covenant.

• The Lifelong Study: Why reading the Bible isn't a "degree" to be earned, but a lifelong pursuit of discernment and intimacy with God.

• Routine vs. Sincerity: How to avoid becoming "blase" or "lackadaisical" in our faith and why God desires our hearts over our rituals.

• A Deep Dive into Hosea 6 & 7: Michael explores the prophetic call to return to the Lord, examining the powerful verse: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."

• Bringing Flaws into the Light: The importance of confession, surrender, and recognizing that every blessing—from the food on our plates to the roofs over our heads—is a gift from God.

A Note for the New Year

"The difference between mediocre and magnificent is the beautiful unseen details. Find the beautiful inside yourself, which is God. Let it shine." — Michael Bahas

Michael concludes with a powerful reminder that we shouldn't settle for "mediocre" faith. Whether you are looking to restart your Bible study or simply looking for a more authentic walk with Christ, this episode serves as a roadmap for a year defined by grace, smiles, and surrender.