Pursuing God with Gene Appel

We all experience times when we allow our faith to be overcome by fear. In today’s episode, guest Matt Merold gives us a powerful reminder from Matthew 14 - the story of Peter stepping out of the boat to Jesus. When we look to Him, rather than rely on our own abilities, we allow Jesus to take control over our fears in supernatural ways that only He can Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to h...

How do you live with an awareness of God all throughout your day? Our minds are shaped by our thoughts. When we feed our minds with thoughts about God, we begin to sense His grace and power in our lives. 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...

“Not only do we pursue God, but He is always pursuing us.” In today’s episode, guest Albert Tate reminds us that, just like He did with the woman at the well in John 4, Jesus is ready to bring living water to our thirsty souls. 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...

You can’t keep moving at 200 miles per hour without losing touch with your soul, God and others. God is waiting for you to slow down and look His way for His grace. He is always ready to refuel you with the power of His Holy Spirit. 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 tha...

God doesn’t want us just to slow down and do nothing. Rest alone doesn’t restore our souls. What soul-building environment do you regularly put yourself in where the Holy Spirit challenges, confronts and changes you? 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...

If God is all powerful, why did He rest on the seventh day after creation? Even if you’re not physically tired, you need time to get out of your routine and discover activities that regularly restore your mind and soul.   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 gra...

Unbalanced living may be the greatest sin in many of our lives right now. From the very beginning, God established a rhythm to life. And when you’re living outside of this God-designed rhythm, challenges look insurmountable and you don’t have time for God. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by E...

How do we experience God’s presence in our daily lives when the speed of life is out of control? In this week’s podcast series, Gene shares three principles from the Bible that have the power to transform the way we live our lives and deepen our relationships with God and each other. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded...

 Romans 3:23 says, “ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God has extended an outrageous invitation of life and grace, but He’s waiting for each of us to accept it. In today’s episode, Gene clearly lays out the path to living a life of true freedom Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shap...

Many of us are serious about following Jesus but still have bridges back to our old lives that need to be destroyed. When you have sin in your life, it blocks you from hearing what God wants to say to you and prevents you from experiencing true freedom . Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eas...

Is easy for Christians to fall for the myth that says religious activity equals personal transformation. True freedom isn’t found by just going through the religious motions.  James 1:22 challenges us by saying, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS.” Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Gr...

Christianity isn’t just a good way to die, but it’s the best way to live. While we fear God is going to take away our freedom and make our lives miserable, Jesus painted quite a different picture. Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounde...

Since the Garden of Eden human beings have been saying, “Don’t mess with my FREEDOM.” The reality is that FEAR of God’s law prevents many from experiencing the best way to live -- fear that it will restrict us from our desires rather than set us free. In this week’s podcast series, Gene shares the best path to freedom, a freedom that deep down, we all long for. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is desi...

Anger always grows out of hurt, frustration, or fear. In today’s episode, Gene helps us apply the principles taught this week to help us better manage that anger we all feel and encourages us to pray for God’s strength to resolve the root cause of our anger.  Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped b...

Proverbs 14:29 says, “Those who are patient have great understanding.” Simply understanding where someone is coming from doesn’t excuse poor behavior but it does help you interpret it differently. When you take the time to understand what shapes a person, you begin to become more patient with them.  Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compa...

Why do psychologists no longer view venting as an effective tool to manage anger? Don’t we feel so much better when we just “let it all out?” Research shows that venting actually reinforces negative attitudes and behavior. Gene shares in today’s episode Jesus’ recommendation for dealing with anger towards another.  Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, a...

 What would our relationships look like if we were truly quick to listen and slow to become angry? The longer you withhold your temper the more it improves. In today’s episode, Gene reminds us that we have a choice in how we control the anger that we all feel Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped b...

Have you experienced the destructive results of mismanaged anger? God has wired us all with a capacity for feeling anger, yet James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” 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 grac...

Everyone has a secret from their past that can keep them paralyzed by shame and guilt. The Bible tells us that it’s through the spiritual rebirth of Jesus that God sees us as His first and best. No matter who you are, God can make you into something new. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eas...

There may come a time in your life that you feel the only way to achieve your heart’s desire is by disobeying God. In today’s episode Gene reminds us that, since the beginning of time, the God who never changes has met the desires of His children who trust Him Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped...

“What starts in the mind eventually results in action.” We are all susceptible to the gradual self-destructive path that leads to a loss of spiritual integrity. In today’s episode, Gene warns us of this reality and reminds us of God’s faithfulness when we are tempted. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and...

What is the source of your temptation? James 1:14 says, “Each of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your own evil desire and enticed.” In today’s episode, Gene encourages us to remember that there is a force at work in this world that gradually deceives us into straying from our first love. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compa...

What is the self-destructive path that all of us are susceptible to? God allows us to go through trials on the outside to test or prove our faith, but He never seeks to induce sin on the inside and destroy our faith. This week, Gene continues through James 1, taking a close look at the subject of temptation and the routine effect it has on our lives. Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to hel...

What is the reward for those who persevere through trials? James 1:12 tells us, “Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the CROWN OF LIFE that God has promised to those who love him.” 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...

Pain has a way of getting our attention like nothing else can. It’s so ironic that it’s only when we’re torn to pieces that we’re made whole. James 1:4 says, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eas...