Pursuing God with Gene Appel

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Gene Appel is the senior pastor of Eastside Christian Church, a multi-site church based in Anaheim, California. Since 2008, Gene has led Eastside into multiple seasons of rapid growth and as a result, Eastside has been consistently named among the 100 fastest growing churches in America. Gene’s recipe for success is simple: Pursue God, Build Community, and Unleash Compassion. Eastside’s explosive growth is rooted in a deep conviction that God’s heart and God’s grace is for everyone, resulting in a radically inclusive community of God-conscious “servant leaders” who serve both locally and globally. Join Gene Monday - Friday as he walks you through practical biblical teachings that will foster a deeper connection and awareness of God’s activity and presence in your life. No matter where you are at with your walk with God, this podcast is for everyone.

Gene Appel


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 5m AVG DURATION
    • 1,057 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Pursuing God with Gene Appel

    Episode 1036: Personal Inspection

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 5:42


    We are looking at how problems have an upside we can leverage to our benefit. Problems can result in personal inspection to reveal what's really in our hearts. Consider some of the lessons Moses gives us for navigating the seasons of life.Is there a problem or challenge in your life that is causing you to do some personal inspection? It may be hard, but it's a good thing.

    Episode 1035: We All Have Problems

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 6:52


    Have you ever had a really, really bad day? The Bible is clear that even if you love God with all your heart, you are not insulated from problems.If problems are going to be a definite part of our lives, how can you learn to see them as a friend instead of an enemy? We will discuss 5 different ways God uses problems this week.The first is discovering direction, which will be discussed in the context of Jonah. 

    Episode 1034: A Spirit-Led Life

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 5:48


    We have reached the end of a week exploring what it looks like to live a life that is led by God's Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is to move at God's pace, with His purpose, and in His power. If you follow Jesus, being filled with the spirit is yours for the asking! Are you ready?

    Episode 1033: Testing the Holy Spirit's Leadings

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 7:15


    When it comes to discerning the leading of the Holy Spirit, we need to know His fingerprints so we know it's really Him. Every time you sense a leading from the Holy Spirit, it's also important to test His leadings. One of the most important ways you test His leadings is to test them against the Bible, because God's Spirit will never lead you to do something contrary to God's Word. The Spirit's guidance will always be consistent with what the Spirit has revealed in God's Word.Are you willing to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit even if it involves effort or hard work? 

    Episode 1032: Following the Holy Spirit's Lead

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 5:36


    This week, we are talking about what it means to be led by God's Spirit. When we are led by the Spirit of God, we don't just follow rules, we follow His voice, His peace, and His presence. But learning to follow takes some practice.Several things can help us learn to be led by the Spirit. Today, we'll talk about one that seems to be self-evident, but it's one many of us struggle with. 

    Episode 1031: God Leads Our Lives

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 6:47


    We are exploring the unexpected and powerful ways God leads us in our lives this week. There are two kinds of guidance when God is leading you by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's guidance is not about personal success, but about personal transformation. We'll review an example from Paul in Acts 9.

    Episode 1030: God Guides Us

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 5:06


    God has always projected Himself into this world and its history through His Spirit. God is much more willing to actively lead and guide our lives than many of us are willing to believe. God is guiding, but many of us are just not listening. God is leading, but many of us are not following.This week, we are going to do a deep dive into why and how God leads us into a variety of circumstances so we can learn how to be led by His Spirit.

    Episode 1029: Looking at the Bible

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 6:25


    We've talked about several ways of looking at the Bible this week, but today we'll end on two core reminders when it comes to the Bible.What commitment should you make this summer?

    Episode 1028: Engaging with the Bible

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 6:11


    This week, we've been reviewing how to engage with the Bible in a life-strengthening way. God's Word gives you hope in crisis, comfort in despair, strength when weak, wisdom when confused, guidance when seeking direction, and power to resist temptation. The Bible is not just a standard of living; its truth is a catalyst for spiritual growth. In Luke 8, Jesus tells a story of four kinds of soil, representing four different attitudes we can have toward the Bible. Which soil best represents you at this moment?

    Episode 1027: The Scripture Diet

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 6:40


    As we talk this week about developing and maintaining good habits surrounding the Bible, ask yourself if your current diet of scripture is leaving your soul satisfied.The Bible says the Word of God is spiritual food. The Bible describes itself as the water, the milk, the bread, and the meat of the spiritual life. Just like you need physical food for physical strength, you've got to have spiritual food for spiritual strength. So how do we feed ourselves on the truths of the Bible? We review four ways.

    Episode 1026: Some Foundations Crumble

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 5:48


    God wants your new spiritual life in Him to replace your old life permanently.When life's inevitable storms, trials, and temptations come, those built on God's Word remain solid rather than crumbling. Today, we'll review four worldly foundations and why they crumble. 

    Episode 1025: An Integrated Life

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 5:23


    Since it's been a month since the New Testament Challenge, we'll focus this week on how you can maintain a heart for God's Word and how you can integrate it into every area of your life.When you segment your life, you live a segregated life. To have integrity means to live your life integrated, as a whole. To live an integrated life, you have to have the desire. The rest is what you do to honor it. We'll look at specific, biblical steps to help throughout the week.

    Episode 1024: The Power of His Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 6:33


    As we take the final lap through Acts 1 and unpack the power the first Christians had, we discover it is still available to us today. Our power doesn't come from our level of faith, but from the One we have faith in. God makes the power of His spirit known in three ways, which we discuss today.

    Episode 1023: The Promise of Power

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 6:00


    This week, we are contemplating the role of God's Holy Spirit when it comes to transforming and using our lives. As creations of God, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. But without power, we cannot function. Early Christians witnessed what Jesus could do and how He could change their life. Our witness is not to be narrow, but it's got to be wide. Since Jesus promised us power when we're witnessing for the right thing, the power will be there when we do. 

    Episode 1022: The Internal Power of God

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 5:13


    Jesus Christ was God in the flesh who came with power. He proved that power when He was raised from the dead. His followers had seen the resurrected Lord and the results of His life, but they had no power themselves. Chapter 1, verse 5 brings us to the promise of power. What took you through tough times? What helped you stand? It is the internal power of God, which is a confidence worth living in. 

    Episode 1021: Dealing with Change

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 5:46


    This week, we're looking at Acts Chapter 1 and how change in life takes place. Change has a way of surprising us. Acts 1 shows us who makes that change happen and how it rolls out. Sometimes the power to change anything happens through waiting. We have to wait for God to show up, but we don't have to wait for his Holy Spirit. 

    Episode 1020: God Can Change the World

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 5:19


    Jesus never left His corner of the Middle East, but His message permeated almost the entire globe and continues 20 centuries after He was here. Jesus challenges His followers, including you and me, to dream great dreams, to plan great plans, to pray great prayers, and obey His great commands. How big is your vision? Have you ever thought about what God could do through you to change our world in this generation? 

    Episode 1019: Serving Jesus

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 6:14


    Today we'll review two more practical suggestions for dealing with temptation. Our short-range goal is to serve Jesus, who gave His life for us. When temptations distract us, we need to be reminded of our goal as a motivation for obedience. Not only does Jesus provide a way out of temptation, but He provides the way out of all the sins we've already committed through His death and resurrection. 

    Episode 1018: Temptation can be Overcome

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 7:00


    We've been exploring how to deal with temptation, how it's normal for everyone, and how it comes in a variety of forms. Temptation can be overcome. Jesus experienced the same temptations and He resisted them to prove that it could be done. Many Christians have confronted the same pressures and overcome. And we can do it too. Today we discuss four practical suggestions to help you overcome temptation. 

    Episode 1017: Another Type of Temptation / Sexual Temptation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 6:20


    We are looking deeper at temptation, how it works and how to overcome it. As we walk through 1 Corinthians 10, we see another temptation the Israelites yielded: sexual temptation. Anybody who wants to live a life of purity in our society has a constant battle to control sexual desires. Temptations vary, so be alert. Paul puts grumbling on the same level as sexual immorality and materialism. Can you access which one of these you are most vulnerable to? 

    Episode 1016: Dealing with Temptation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 5:14


    This week, we're exploring how to deal best with temptation.In 1 Corinthians, Paul confessed the constant struggle he had with the temptations of the world throughout his entire life. Even Jesus struggled with temptation all of His life. If we're going to overcome temptation, we've got to see the awful consequences of sin. There are warnings in scripture about being careless in the Christian life.

    Episode 1015: Resisting Temptation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 6:38


    In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul compares the Christian life with the 40-year journey the Israelites made from slavery in Egypt to freedom in Canaan. Most of these people never were allowed to enter the Promised Land because they couldn't resist temptation.We will review lessons about how to resist temptation, which is a normal experience.   

    Episode 1014: A Purified Temple

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 5:56


    We are finishing a week of looking at the word pictures Paul uses to describe what will happen when we finally meet Jesus face to face. In 1 Corinthians chapter 3, he pictures our lives as we bring them to Jesus on that day like a growing plant and a well-constructed house. There is one last word picture he uses: a purified temple. 

    Episode 1013: A Wake-Up Call

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 6:18


    We've been in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 looking at how we can know what type of materials we are using in the building of our own lives in preparation for Jesus' coming. God looks to the motives of our heart, and He knows if we are doing our job to bring Him glory.These verses ought to be a wake-up call. One way or another, we are getting closer and closer to the day Paul is talking about, the day we stand before Jesus. 

    Episode 1012: Your Spiritual Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 6:37


    We're exploring how Jesus' second coming provided a powerful motivation for Paul and how it can do the same for us. We've been in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, and today we'll discuss the second word picture Paul uses. We seek quality in every aspect of our life. How much more should we seek to use quality materials to build our spiritual life?

    Episode 1011: Being Faithful

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 5:57


    When Paul talks about the second coming of Christ, he doesn't talk about trying to figure out when Christ will return; he talks about being faithful until he returns and looking forward to the rewards Jesus will bring.Paul uses three different word pictures to describe what we should be like until Jesus returns, and they can motivate us to be faithful. We'll look at one of the word pictures today. 

    Episode 1010: When Will Christ Return?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 5:18


    We have long been fascinated with the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. Every generation has wondered if they were in the end times and if Jesus would return in their lifetime. Even the early church in the New Testament was concerned, because Jesus did not return as soon as they had thought He would. We do not know when Jesus will return, but we know He will. This week we will look at Paul's teachings about the second coming of Christ. 

    Episode 1009: Home in Heaven

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 6:38


    Today is the last day of the New Testament Challenge. The Bible has a lot to say about what heaven will be, but heaven is still beyond our wildest imagination.We were made for heaven, and when we get there, we will truly be home. 

    Episode 1008: Joy and Laughter

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 6:16


    We are exploring heaven and all God has planned for those who trust Him. We've been discovering how heaven is a place of joy and laughter. Hell is not going to be parties, friends, or fun and games for eternity; it'll be eternal separation from God and others. Heaven, on the other hand, is anything but a boring place. Everything good in this life that we see now, will be perfect in the unseen life to come. It will be better than you could ever imagine.

    Episode 1007: Heaven will be a Place of...

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 6:20


    As we continue to learn about the Kingdom of Heaven, we'll read from Revelation. Heaven will be a place of love, relationships, intellectual growth, discovery, rewards, exploration, productivity, and accomplishment. 

    Episode 1006: What is Heaven Like?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 5:42


    As we wrap up the New Testament Challenge, we will review what heaven is like. There are so many unanswered questions on earth. But heaven is a place of relational reunions and exciting learnings.

    Episode 1005: The Kingdom of Heaven

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 5:59


    This is the last week of the New Testament Challenge. Can you believe it?The New Testament ends with an unspeakably glorious vision of the future: the Kingdom of Heaven coming to earth, or as some theologians have put it, heaven and earth coming back together again. That's not just good news, that's great news. 

    Episode 1004: Keep Pouring

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 7:04


    When Paul made it to the end of his life, he wrote a last lecture from his prison cell. His last piece of words are keep pouring! 2,000 years later, we are still talking about Paul. What do you think your legacy will be? 

    Episode 1003: Keep Reading and Sharing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 6:45


    We are reading Paul's “last lecture” to Timothy this week. After Paul says to keep on no matter what, he says keep reading. All scripture is God breathed; our lives, and our families, and our careers, and our kids, and our futures, and our finances need this book's teaching and rebuking and correcting and training in righteousness. The Bible contains guidance for living your life. Paul also says keep sharing. Paul tells Timothy to preach the Word, to keep telling people about Jesus. Never miss the opportunity.

    Episode 1002: Keep On

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 7:03


    We are reviewing the latter part of the apostle Paul's life. After he is arrested in Jerusalem, one of the governors holds him at a place along the Mediterranean known as Caesarea by the sea. Paul ends up being held there for 2 years. This is where he gives his last lecture. First, Paul says to keep on. Don't quit. Keep enduring. No matter how difficult circumstances get, with Jesus' help, we can keep on. 

    Episode 1001: Paul's Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 5:50


    We are focusing on the apostle Paul this week. Initially, Paul was a committed Jew who persecuted Christians, and later became a follower of Jesus, maybe becoming the greatest proponent of Jesus and Christianity in history. In nearly every city Paul went, he would start a revival, a riot, or both, because he was so passionate about Jesus. When was the last time you just talked to someone about Jesus and what He means to your life? People may argue with you about Jesus, but they won't argue with you about your story, because your story is your story. 

    Episode 1000: The Last Lecture

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 6:46


    This week we will look at Paul's last lecture, which is found in Timothy 2. Paul knew he was going to die. God had warned Him; the Spirit had told him. He knew he would make a final journey to Rome, and that would be it.Would you know just the right thing to say in your final moments?

    Episode 999: Unleash Compassion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 6:29


    We are concluding a week devoted to what made the early Christian movement explode and how any alternate vision of the church leaves you, and the rest of the world, wanting.Paul, along with Jesus and so many others, gave His life for a vision where people pursue God,  build community, and unleash compassion everywhere. 

    Episode 998: The Vision for the Church

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 6:52


    We are examining the expansion of the early Christian movement. The early church wasn't just coming to a place for an hour to get some entertainment. They were "devoted to the apostle's teaching."There are two competing visions for the church that are common today, but neither are part of the original vision.

    Episode 997: Paul Endures Hardship

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 5:41


    Today we'll look at the hardships Paul encountered as he spread the message of Jesus across the Roman world. Why would Paul endure the obstacles, the persecution, the difficult travel, and repeatedly risk His life for the church? 

    Episode 996: Paul and the Church

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 6:57


    God uses Paul in some dramatic ways. Paul goes on three different missionary journeys in the book of Acts. Paul opposed and persecuted the church, but then he became a part of the church, planted churches, wrote letters to churches, and died serving the church. In the readings for this week, you'll see four of Paul's letters. Take them in, live out their instruction, and encourage others with what you learn. 

    Episode 995: The Early Church Movement

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 6:53


    For Week 8 of our New Testament Challenge, we'll be focusing on spread of the churches.In Acts 1-7, the Gospel spread through Jerusalem. In Acts 8-12, the Gospel spread to Judea and into Samaria. In Acts 13-28, the Gospel begins to spread everywhere.This is where we meet Paul. The early church would have been afraid of Paul, and yet God calls him.

    Episode 994: Removing Barriers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 6:38


    This week, we've explored the book of Acts in our trek through the New Testament. At this point in history, we see the church expanding, but there is still resistance even in the church itself.From the beginning of the church there have been unnecessary barriers keeping people from Jesus. But God, in His love, refuses to leave these barriers up. We can remove the barriers keeping people from Jesus.

    Episode 993: The Greatest Missionary

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 6:31


    After arguing with God, Ananias comes and, in a tangible way, expresses the love of God to Saul.Saul literally changes the course of human history. And you may not know him as Saul, but you are familiar with his new name…Paul, who becomes the greatest missionary in the history of the world.God has given you your background and personality to be used for His glory. You are part of the plan God has to change the world, even through the life of one unlikely person like Saul. 

    Episode 992: The Story of Saul

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 7:19


    One of the most remarkable human interest stories in the Bible is the story of Saul, whom God uses in a fascinating way.Saul has been confronted by Jesus himself while Saul was on his way to throw Christians in jail; he is left blind and disoriented. God desires to involve us in His mission in the world to rescue and restore everyone, everywhere.

    Episode 991: Courageous Compassion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 6:38


    After Jesus' death, Peter and John used the power of the Holy Spirit to preach His message.God orchestrates events to grow our courage in His limitless power. Courageous compassion gives credibility to courageous words.Do you want to see God move through your life like He did through the Christ followers in the first century?

    Episode 990: A Fresh Start

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 6:47


    For Week 7 of our New Testament Challenge, we'll be focusing on the beginning of the church.Acts 1 and 2 are a study in contrasts. In Acts 1, Jesus ascends into heaven and vanishes before people's eyes. He has 120 followers who are weak, defeated, and overwhelmed. But in Acts 2, we find them empowered, courageous, and strong. Do you need a new beginning? Do you yearn for a fresh start? 

    Episode 989: Questions to Ponder

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 6:41


    Based on what we've shared about the resurrection in our episodes this week, here are some questions to ponder: When did you believe in the events of the resurrection? When did you accept the events of the resurrection? When did you share the events of the resurrection?

    Episode 988: Why the Resurrection Matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 6:16


    This week has been dedicated to exploring the historical and present impact of the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is an event that happened and changed our world. It's how God worked in history to restore the relationship with broken people like us. What you believe about Jesus matters. Would you declare your belief in prayer for the first or hundredth time today? 

    Episode 987: Evidence of the Resurrection

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 6:02


    The resurrection of Jesus has been scrutinized by more historians and scholars than any other event in the history of humanity. Thomas had evidence, but what do we have? There have been many attempts for people to try to explain away the resurrection through the centuries, and people have come up with all sorts of concocted ideas in order to explain away what really happened.We hope the reality of this event will permeate lives and interactions.

    Episode 986: Doubting Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 6:23


    We're exploring what may be the most important event in human history: the resurrection of Jesus. Today we'll look at it through Thomas' point of view. He's known as doubting Thomas, but he didn't stay doubting.

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