Pursuing God with Gene Appel

Even when he was exiled as a teenager to a foreign land, Daniel remembered who he was was and knew what he would do and not do ahead of time, so he chose not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyo...

As a follower of Jesus, how do you stand out and stand strong in a culture of compromise?  Culture is always shifting. Remember who God says you are: beautiful, made in My image, amazing, forgiven, loved, and a child of God. Daniel found himself in a culture that had shifted more than ours, and we’ll review his story this week. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build...

Noah and his family were actually saved by the flood waters, because the flood waters lifted the ark up, sparing their lives. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that is now available to save you. This week has been a time to look at the example of Noah in following God in extremely uncertain times. What is your door of opportunity in your faith journey? Seize the momen...

We’ve been looking this week at how to faithfully pursue God when everything he calls you to seems uncertain, even unseeable.  The next lesson Noah teaches us is to maximize your opportunities while the doors are still open.  Sometimes you can wait too long. Sometimes doors close much quicker than you think. Do you know someone who needs to make a step toward God while the door is still open?  Pur...

When Noah was building the ark, he ignored detractors and kept moving forward. Living the life Jesus wants for you means being prepared to be criticized and misunderstood. It's not all that popular these days to say you're a follower of Jesus. Ignore your critics like Noah did. Ignoring your own self-criticism is a spiritual discipline that will serve you well. Pursuing God with Gene App...

Noah wasn’t perfect, but he tried to walk with God. Noah teaches us to obey God even when you don’t understand it. Do you have the guts, grit, and faith to obey God even when you don’t understand it? Is there an area of your life where God is calling you to trust him and to obey him? Is the waiting getting hard? Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and...

The story of Noah is found in Genesis 6, 7, and 8. God gave Noah and his family a gracious opportunity to survive the destruction of the world, but it didn’t always make sense to Noah. If you’re facing an unknown future, use God’s favor as you take steps of faith. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and sha...

The story of Nehemiah gives us a reason to hope. In 52 days, the wall was finished, and enemies realized the work had been done with God’s help. In the end, Nehemiah gave God the glory. God is always with you and empowers you through the Holy Spirit. You will never finish what you don’t start. Do it all for the glory of God. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build co...

Have you ever known someone whose example left an enduring positive mark on your life? Nehemiah rebuilt the wall in Jerusalem at a pivotal time. After he stood up and acted, he faced opposition. When we try to honor God, spiritual opposition can step in, but you can moved by what God thinks. We encourage you to lean into someone’s example of commitment and ignore opposition. Pursuing God with Gene...

The next step for Nehemiah is to stand up and act; he went to the king and requests many things. Are you ever surprised by the way God answers your prayers? We encourage you to prayerfully see how God provides a clear path of action. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction th...

Do you think God can allow you to do something that blows everyone away? Do you feel inspired or inadequate? The story of Nehemiah is for people who wrestle with inadequacy and difficult circumstances. Next, Nehemiah kneeled down and prayed. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s convi...

Are you a dark horse? This week we'll look at Nehemiah's story in the Bible. What do you do when you hear bad news or see someone in need? Well, the first thing Nehemiah did was sit down and cry. #PursuingGod  Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace...

Our last communication value is forgiveness. The secret to lasting relationships is learning to forgive whether it’s asked for or not. Remember, God forgives us when we don’t deserve it.  At Eastside, we value building community. One of the ways we do this is through small groups. You can get info on our website . Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, an...

Certain words can be relationship killers. Some things should be out of bounds in relationships. Verbal missiles don’t work. The Bible advises us to hold back our anger. God didn’t create you to be a punching bag in your family; you’re a treasured member of God’s family. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture...

After patience and affirmation, the next building step for communication is listening. Relationships flourish when we seek to listen and understand. Sitting back and listening is helpful in all areas of life. Practice truly listening to someone important today. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped...

We can build people up or tear people down. Encouragement is powerful in our daily lives. Today, we discuss affirmation or encouragement. Try today to affirm your loved ones.  Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you t...

How do we talk to one another? Words can bring death or life. This week we’ll be exploring Esphesians 4 and its lessons on improving communication. Today, we discuss patience over hurry. Be patient with those around you; people are more important than time or things. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and...

Jesus tells the church in Sardis to repent. Repentence means to change your mind. There is an urgency to Jesus’ command to repent in Revelation 3. As we dream about the future, much is given and required. We want to be a strong church that relies on God. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eas...

We continue reviewing Jesus’ resurrection plan for the church. The Holy Spirit needs to work in you and the church. We need to acknowledge our dependence on God. We need to hold fast to mission God gives us. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for ever...

Jesus gave a resurrection plan to the church in Sardis. A church can’t live in the past and rest solely on its reputation. Death in the future comes from living in the past. New ideas and flexibility help the church. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is...

In Revelation 3, Jesus’ does an autopsy of the church in Sardis, a wealthy city. Jesus calls out this church for being dead. Churches begin as an exciting movement, but after awhile organization has to happen to keep with the mission instead of becoming just an institution.  Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Script...

We’re so encouraged after 21 Days of Prayer. Luke 11 reminds us to make sure our light isn’t darkness. This week we’ll be looking at Jesus’ autopsy of a church. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’...

As we conclude 21 Days of Prayer, we hope this investment of intentional focus on your prayer life has been invigorating and strengthening. We review these 21 days and offer encouragement for the future. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone...

In our current time, we’re told to never deny ourselves anything we desire. All our cravings and desires are to be met and filled because our wants are so important. That’s why fasting is revolutionary, but we invite you to stick with it. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s convicti...

We continue to discuss when to consider fasting, looking at the last 3 times. May God bless your efforts and hear all your prayers today. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity...