Pursuing God with Gene Appel

In Acts 27, Paul steps up even as a prisoner on a storm-battered ship. First, he takes initiative—warning the crew of dangers ahead. Later, when fear has gripped every man on board, Paul speaks with authority, sharing God's promise of protection and courage. Gene reminds us today that true leaders don't just point out problems; they step forward to meet needs. And when storms come, they ground others with the unshakable authority of God's Word.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 in your life.

Today Gene begins our journey through Acts 27, where the apostle Paul sets sail for Rome as a prisoner. Though ranked last among 276 people, Paul rises to the top when storms hit—not because of authority, but because he earned trust. Leadership, Gene reminds us, isn't about titles or rank; it's about character proven in crisis.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 in your life.

As Paul closes his prayer in Ephesians 1, Gene reminds us that every believer has a heavenly account overflowing with spiritual wealth. We've learned to calculate the balance, understand the currency, and cash the checks of purpose, privilege, and power. The key to living this out? Prayer — praying these truths into our hearts so we walk daily with confidence, identity, and strength. It's time to stop searching for what we already have and start living like the rich people we are in Christ.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 in your life.

In Ephesians 1:18–19, Paul prays that the eyes of our hearts would be opened to the spiritual wealth available to us in Christ. Gene explains three “checks” we can cash right now: a significant purpose, a family privilege as children of the King, and unequaled power—the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. When we see life through this lens, we walk with hope, identity, and confidence that everything over our heads is already under His feet.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 in your life.

In Ephesians 1:17, Paul prays that believers would receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so they could know God better. Gene unpacks what it means to understand the true “currency” of our spiritual wealth — not focusing on external circumstances, but seeing life from God's perspective. With a fresh lens, even our problems look different when viewed in light of our position in Christ.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 in your life.

In Ephesians 1, Paul reminds us that our spiritual “checkbook” is overflowing because of what we've already received in Christ through the Holy Spirit. But instead of being satisfied, Paul prays that we would keep pressing deeper into God, growing in faith and love. Today, Gene explores how Paul's prayer challenges us to recognize our heavenly wealth and to pray not only in times of trouble, but especially for those faithfully living on the front lines of faith.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 in your life.

Gene begins a new series from Ephesians with a reminder of what it means to live in light of our spiritual inheritance. Just as Will in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air had to learn to live like he belonged in his new family, followers of Jesus often forget the wealth already given to us through the Holy Spirit. In this episode, Gene shows how the Holy Spirit is God's promise of redemption and why our lives should reflect the identity and future we already have in Christ.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 in your life.

As we wrap up the story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2, Gene reminds us that once we've experienced God's forgiveness, we're called to extend it to others. Just as Jesus told the man to carry his mat as a reminder of grace, we too can remember what God has forgiven in us when we're tempted to hold on to hurt. Forgiveness isn't easy, but when we recall how deeply we've been forgiven, it becomes possible to reconcile, heal relationships, and live in freedom.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 in your life.

Today Gene shares the second step in truly experiencing God's forgiveness: confessing our sins, not just to God, but to another person. Just as the paralyzed man in Mark 2 heard Jesus say, “Your sins are forgiven,” we often need to hear those words spoken aloud to fully believe them. Through Scripture and story, Gene reminds us that when we confess and receive assurance of God's grace, we walk in freedom not because of what we've done, but because of what Christ has done for 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 everyone, each episode invites you to discover God's presence and activity in your life.

Today Gene talks about the first step toward experiencing deep forgiveness: honestly acknowledging our need for it. None of us are as good as we appear, and guilt, regret, and shame can quietly weigh us down. Through Scripture, stories, and grace, Gene reminds us that God invites us out of hiding to receive His mercy and the freedom of true forgiveness.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 in your life.

Yesterday we met the paralyzed man in Mark 2 whose friends lowered him through a roof to see Jesus. Instead of healing his body, Jesus first said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Sometimes what we think we need most isn't our deepest need. In this episode, Gene reminds us that real freedom comes through forgiveness and grace.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 in your life.

Today, Gene reflects on the paralyzed man in Mark 2 who spent years confined to a mat until four friends carried him to Jesus. For him, that mat represented weakness and limitation — but it also became the place where he experienced healing and hope.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 in your life.

This is our final episode in our week about dealing with gray areas in Christian living. We've established that love should guide our decisions when the Bible doesn't give clear direction, we've seen Paul's example of voluntary limitation, and we've talked about making introducing people in our lives to Jesus our ultimate priority. Today, we'll discuss how to make these decisions practically, without falling into legalism or insensitivity to others, with six practical guidelines for navigating the gray areas.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 in your life.

Today we'll focus on the ultimate goal that should drive all of our decision-making: We should be trying to get as close to Jesus as we can. Paul said, "I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved." This is the heart attitude that should characterize our approach to gray areas.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 in your life.

Welcome back to a week where we're dealing with gray areas that surface when we follow Jesus. We've established that love should be our guiding principle when the Bible doesn't give us clear direction, and we've seen how Paul applied this. Today, we'll look at how Paul lived out this principle in his own ministry in a very practical and powerful way. 

In 1 Corinthians, believers were struggling with whether they should eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols in pagan religious practices. Today we're going to dive into Paul's answer about how the principle of love plays out in making difficult decisions. His response is both practical and profound.In the gray areas of life, are you being driven by what you have the right to do or by what love would do?

On many things, the Bible is absolutely black and white. But what about those gray areas where the Bible doesn't say anything specific? What do we do then? What are the principles that guide us when we're walking in uncertain territory?Paul gives us some incredible insights in 1 Corinthians 8-10, and that's what we're going to be unpacking over the course of this week.In the gray areas of your life, are your decisions being driven by knowledge or love? 

The parable Jesus told wasn't just a nice story about wine-making practices in ancient times; it was a powerful illustration of how God works in our lives and what He expects from us as His followers. We'll give some practical thoughts about what this means for your life. Remember, God doesn't just pour new wine into your life. He makes you into a new wineskin, flexible and expandable, ready to accommodate all the good things He wants to do in and through you. That's the miracle of transformation.

Is God doing a healing work in your life emotionally, relationally, spiritually, or even physically?When we remain in our connection to Jesus, His spirit in us produces the power to face our circumstances.

There are two kinds of people seen in church: those who have transformed a lot and those who have barely transformed at all.What's the major differentiating factor between those two kinds of people? The word YES. We were all really failures at one time or another, but failure is not fatal. But even when we fail, God loves us and shows up for us.

We'll continue to look at the parable of the wineskins from Luke. We'll review the context of when this parable was told.Do you prefer the old way of doing things when God is doing something new? Do you resist situations he is calling you into simply because you don't like being put in those kinds of situations?

Sometimes we're not as prepared as we think when God does something new. New spiritual goals require new ways of pursuing them.Jesus explained in Luke that new wine in old wineskins could lead to a mess. This week, we'll explore the topic of being ready and empowered to act when God does something new. Have you been feeling a little insecure at changes that may be coming your way? Does it seem like God is not showing up in the same way as he did in another point of transition in your life?

From the archives - it's the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition: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. 

From the archives - it's the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition: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.

From the archives - it's the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition:It 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.”

From the archives - it's the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition: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.”

From the archives - it's the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition: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.

From the archives - it's the best of “Understanding the Bible in 5 Days” podcast - summer editionHow do you cope with pain and loss? Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” And as we learn to live in its pages, the Bible, and the Savior it points to, lives in and through us.

From the archives - it's the best of “Understanding the Bible in 5 Days” podcast - summer edition:What would you say if you were asked to explain what the Bible is all about? How would you clearly and briefly articulate this powerful library of 66 different books? In today's episode, Gene simply outlines the story of the Bible so that we can be more equipped and less intimidated by God's Word.

From the archives - it's the best of “Understanding the Bible in 5 Days” podcast - summer edition:In Genesis 12, God makes three promises to Abraham that set His plan in motion to restore the relationship with people like us. And when you understand these three promises, it's like a KEY that unlocks the rest of the Bible.

From the archives - it's the best of “Understanding the Bible in 5 Days” podcast - summer edition:The only way you can love authentically is if you have the free will not to love.In the beginning, God's very Spirit was inside of Adam and Eve. After the choice was made that led to spiritual death, His Spirit left them. And now people like us are in need of a new birth. Thankfully, we can be renewed by power of the Holy Spirit.

From the archives - it's the best of “Understanding the Bible in 5 Days” podcast - summer editionEvery great book starts with the plot. In the beginning, Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world because they had a perfect relationship with God. God created mankind because He longed for a relationship with people like us -- but every authentic relationship goes two ways.

From the archives - it's the best of “Seeing others as Jesus sees them” podcast - summer edition:“The more people who are pursuing God and building true community, the more compassion we are going to unleash in a broken world.” In today's devotional, Gene shares his vision for Eastside Christian Church. “And may the day come where it can be said, “and there were no needy persons among them.”

From the archives - it's the best of “Seeing others as Jesus sees them” podcast - summer edition:Jesus had a kind of peripheral vision that saw people who were often forgotten or marginalized because He always looked through eyes of love. In today's devotional, Gene encourages us to see those around us with the eyes of Jesus.

From the archives - it's the best of “Seeing others as Jesus sees them” podcast - summer edition:Sometimes we get so busy, even at church, that we can become blind to the needs of those around us. In today's devotion, Gene invites us to pray this prayer:  “God, put someone in our path today and help us to see them with Jesus' eyes.”

From the archives - it's the best of “Seeing others as Jesus sees them” podcast - summer edition:We all need corrective lenses to see clearly, spiritually speaking. God wants to help us see others the way He does, which is when we can truly be the hands and feet of Jesus. In today's devotion, Gene challenges us this week to do something to intentionally “...serve one another in love.” Gal. 5:13

From the archives - it's the best of “Seeing others as Jesus sees them” podcast - summer edition:Is your vision getting better or worse for the needs of those around you? This week, Gene takes a look at the book of Acts where we read about the founding of the early Christian church. There were “no needy persons among them” because the early church saw people the way Jesus sees them.

From the archives - it's the best of “Navigating through Change” podcast - summer edition:How did the Israelites handle the many obstacles they faced in the wilderness? Hebrews 11:30 says, “By FAITH the walls of Jericho fell...” In today's devotion, Gene shares that when you're navigating change, you've got to live by faith -- moment by moment.

From the archives - it's the best of “Navigating through Change” podcast - summer edition:We all go through seasons where we wander spiritually. And just like the Israelites, sometimes we build our own golden calves to worship instead of “clinging to the Rock.” In today's devotion, Gene challenges us, wherever we are at spiritually, to align or re-align our lives with the God who made us.

From the archives - it's the best of “Navigating through Change” podcast - summer edition:Time and again the Israelites missed out on joy in their lives -- no matter how God provided they slipped back into a posture of ungratefulness. Gene reminds us in today's devotion that the Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes. 5:18)

From the archives - it's the best of “Navigating through Change” podcast - summer edition:Why do we struggle with change?  Why do we glamorize the past? So often we remember the past as better than it really was. In today's devotion, Gene teaches on three factors that contribute to our resistance to change.

From the archives - it's the best of “Navigating through Change” podcast - summer edition:Psychologists say that when we go through too much life change we get on overload, which can lead to all kinds of emotional and physical problems. This week, Gene points us to principles we can learn from the Israelite's 40-year journey -- to help us navigate change in our lives with a sense of confidence and God's presence. 

From the archives - it's the best of “The Pursuit of Purpose” podcast - summer edition:It's impossible to find purpose without handing over the keys of your life to God. It's realizing, “I need Jesus Christ in my life not only to save me from my sin, but to live in God's meaning and purpose for my life, indwelt with God's Spirit.”

From the archives - it's the best of “The Pursuit of Purpose” podcast - summer edition:So where do you discover the meaning of your life? Solomon ends his journal in Ecclesiastes by saying, “If you really want to find purpose in your life it comes down to these three words -- ‘Remember your Creator.'” 

From the archives - it's the best of “The Pursuit of Purpose” podcast - summer edition:After investigating everything “under the sun”, King Solomon writes, “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” In today's devotion Gene shares what King Solomon finally discovers --the only way to find purpose is to look to that which cannot be seen.

From the archives - it's the best of “The Pursuit of Purpose” podcast - summer edition:There's a big difference between finding a path in life and discovering God's purpose FOR your life. Solomon was a king and the richest person the world has ever known. The Bible says he denied himself nothing, yet he discovered that true fulfillment wasn't found in the things of this world.

From the archives - it's the best of “The Pursuit of Purpose” podcast - summer edition:Have you ever wondered why you were born? Deep down you sense there's a reason for being alive, but you can't find it -- you feel stuck. Maybe your life has a path, but you feel like it doesn't have a purpose. This week, Gene focuses on what we can learn from King Solomon's quest for purpose.

From the archives - it's the best of “Growing in Perseverance" podcast - summer edition:No race worth running comes without great effort -- and sometimes it can be painful. Our spiritual journey is no different. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

From the archives - it's the best of “Growing in Perseverance" podcast - summer edition:When Christ's church is united, it is unstoppable. Yet churches are notorious for losing focus on their purpose and the race they are running. In a year full of so much divisiveness, let's not forget the mission we are on...together.

From the archives - it's the best of “Growing in Perseverance" podcast - summer edition:There are a couple of habits that frequently happen to many followers of Jesus....without us even realizing it. Thankfully, by God's grace, we can throw off whatever it is that hinders us and find grace for the sin that has us entangled so easily. 

From the archives - it's the best of “Growing in Perseverance" podcast - summer edition:What hinders you spiritually? In today's devotion, Gene shares two common barriers that pull us away from being fully devoted followers of Christ. If we're going to persevere, we must first eliminate the things that are dragging us down.