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★★★★★

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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.

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Check latest episodes from Pursuing God with Gene Appel podcast

Episode 1758: What to Do When You Give In to Temptation

2026/10/30

We've all made choices we regret. And when we give in to temptation, it's easy to feel ashamed, defeated, or convinced that God must be disappointed in us. But Hebrews 4 reminds us that Jesus understands our struggles because He faced temptation Himself, yet never sinned. As we wrap up our week, we'll discover why Jesus' perfect life matters just as much as His death, and how His grace gives us the confidence to come to God even when we've failed. What if your next step wasn't hiding from God, but turning toward 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 conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

Episode 1757: Why Is Temptation So Hard to Resist?

2026/10/29

Have you ever noticed how much harder it is to make a good decision when you're hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? Our natural appetites and emotions can make us vulnerable to choices we wouldn't normally make. But Scripture also reminds us that there's a spiritual battle happening beneath the surface. Today we'll explore where temptation comes from, how to recognize our vulnerabilities, and why we don't have to face those struggles in our own strength. What might change if you learned to recognize temptation before it takes hold? 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.

Episode 1756: 3 Times You're Most Vulnerable to Temptation

2026/10/28

Temptation doesn't always show up when we expect it. Sometimes it comes right after a big win, when we're alone, or when we've put ourselves in an environment where making the wrong choice becomes easier. Looking at Jesus' experience in the wilderness, we'll identify three situations where temptation often finds us and discover practical ways to prepare before those moments arrive. Where are you most vulnerable, and what boundaries could help you make a better choice? 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.

Episode 1755: How Jesus Resisted Temptation and What We Can Learn

2026/10/27

If Jesus was fully human, did He experience temptation the same way we do? In Luke 4, we find Jesus facing three powerful temptations in the wilderness, and each time, He responds with Scripture. Today we'll discover what His example teaches us about resisting temptation, why willpower alone isn't always enough, and how knowing God's Word prepares us for the moments when our convictions are tested. What truth from Scripture do you need to hold onto when temptation comes? 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.

Episode 1754: Why Do We Keep Doing Things We Know Are Wrong?

2026/10/26

Ever promised yourself you'd stop doing something, only to turn around and do it again? Whether it's a bad habit, a broken promise, or a decision we know we'll regret, temptation has a way of pulling us toward things we don't actually want for our lives. Even the apostle Paul understood that struggle. Today we'll explore the gap between what we believe and what we do, and why what we want right now is rarely what we want most. Where is temptation pulling you away from the life you really want? 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.

Episode 1753: Where Should You Start Reading the Bible? A Beginner's Guide

2026/10/23

With 66 books in the Bible, figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming. Should you start in Genesis? How much should you read each day? And how do you make sense of what you're reading? As we wrap up our week, we'll explore practical ways to study Scripture with greater understanding, apply it to your everyday life, and stay consistent through accountability. Whether you're opening the Bible for the first time or returning after a long break, the goal isn't simply to read more. It's to allow God's Word to transform your life. 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.

Episode 1752: How to Build a Daily Bible Reading Habit That Lasts

2026/10/22

Want to read the Bible more consistently but aren't sure where to start? Building a lasting habit doesn't have to be complicated. Today we'll explore three practical ways to make Bible study part of your everyday life: learning to study Scripture on your own, choosing a consistent time and place, and finding a translation you can actually understand. You don't need hours of free time or years of Bible knowledge to begin. What if you started with just 15 minutes a day? 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.

Episode 1751: How God's Word Helps Us Overcome Temptation and Find Peace

2026/10/21

We all face temptation, discouragement, and seasons when life feels heavier than we expected. But the Bible offers more than good advice. It gives us truth to hold onto when we're struggling. Today we'll discover how Scripture helps us resist temptation, make wiser decisions, and find renewed strength when life gets difficult. Through Psalm 19 and Psalm 119, we'll explore how God's Word can bring wisdom, joy, and clarity into our everyday lives. Where do you need God's truth to strengthen you 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 in your life.

Episode 1750: How Reading the Bible Can Strengthen Your Faith

2026/10/20

Have you ever wished your faith was stronger or wondered how to know God's will for your life? The answers may be closer than you think. In Romans 10 and Psalm 119, we discover how studying Scripture helps our faith grow and gives us direction when we're unsure which way to go. Today we'll explore why knowing God's will isn't about finding a secret formula, but about developing a deeper relationship with Him. What could change if you started spending more time getting to know God through His 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.

Episode 1749: Why Is It So Hard to Read the Bible Consistently?

2026/10/19

Most of us know we should spend more time reading the Bible, so why don't we? We tell ourselves we're too busy or that Scripture is too difficult to understand. But what if the real issue isn't time or knowledge, but motivation? Today we'll explore what's keeping us from opening God's Word and why understanding its value can change the way we approach it. What might happen if studying the Bible became something we wanted to do rather than something we felt obligated to do? 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.

Episode 1748: When You Feel Like You Don't Have What It Takes

2026/10/16

Sometimes the odds really are stacked against us. We feel outnumbered, overwhelmed, and completely unqualified for what's ahead. Gideon felt the same way when God asked him to lead an army of just 300 men against an enemy of 135,000. But his story reminds us that overcoming impossible odds isn't about having enough strength on our own. It's about trusting God's strength. As we wrap up our week, we'll discover why worship and obedience matter when we're facing challenges bigger than ourselves. Where do you need to stop relying on your own strength and start trusting His? 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.

Episode 1747: How to Stay Positive When Everything Feels Wrong

2026/10/15

When life gets difficult, it's easy to become so focused on what's going wrong that we forget everything God has already brought us through. Gideon struggled with that same perspective, questioning where God was while God was right there with him. Today we'll explore how remembering God's faithfulness in the past and recognizing His presence in the present can change our attitude toward the challenges ahead. What might you notice if you started looking for where God is working instead of only what's going wrong? 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.

Episode 1746: You Are More Valuable Than You Think

2026/10/14

It's easy to feel invisible in a world that constantly measures our worth by what we accomplish, how we look, or what others think of us. But Scripture tells a very different story. Through the story of Gideon and powerful promises from John 3, Ephesians 3, and John 15, we'll discover three truths God wants us to know: we are valuable, important, and chosen. When the world tells you that you're not enough, whose voice will you believe? 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.

Episode 1745: How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Feelings of Inadequacy

2026/10/13

Have you ever felt overlooked, unqualified, or convinced you just don't have what it takes? Gideon knew that feeling. When God called him a mighty warrior, he was hiding from his enemies, afraid and unsure of himself. Today we'll discover why God's view of us matters more than the labels we've been given or the mistakes we've made. You may see your limitations, but God sees something more. What would change if you started believing what He says about 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 for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

Episode 1744: Why Do I Always Feel Like I'm Not Good Enough?

2026/10/12

Ever feel like everyone else has life figured out while you're just trying to keep up? Whether it's criticism from our past or constantly comparing ourselves to others, it's easy to believe we don't measure up. As we begin a week about overcoming feelings of inadequacy, we'll explore how those negative messages take root and why they don't have to define us. What voices have you been listening to, and what might God want you to hear instead? 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.

Podcast reviews

Read Pursuing God with Gene Appel podcast reviews

5 out of 5

42 reviews

★★★★★

NewRomanticGirl 2022/09/10

Love waking up to Gene and God!

Gene is a very warm person. I love his messages and I love how he prays with us. He gives me so much inspiration and I know it all comes from God. I’m...

★★★★★

Eisa R 2022/02/23

Best start to my day!

Love this podcast - Gene helps me to start my day in the right direction, with learning, reminding and a prayer 🙌🏼

★★★★★

schlick mama 2021/01/05

Inspiring

Gene is amazing at delivering stories from the Bible in an applicable way for us to use today. I look forward to starting my days with this podcast.

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