Westside Podcast

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Welcome to Westside! Engage in the chat and Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about Building for the Future. 

#time #now #thetimeisnow #godstiming #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
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Every parent knows the pre-Christmas closet clean out — toss the old stuff, make room for the new. It feels generous. But what if that same instinct is quietly shaping the way we give to God? In this episode of Midweek Motivation, we take an honest look at what our sacrifices actually reveal about our hearts — and why God isn't after what we were planning to get rid of anyway.

Discover:

• The two very different heart postures behind the classic closet clean out
• What Abel and Cain's offerings in Genesis 4 reveal about sacrifice and the heart
• Why the widow's two coins in Mark 12 is the ultimate "toy chest vs. closet" moment
• The difference between giving from your closet versus unlocking your safe
• A practical, personal audit of what God might actually be asking you to give — time, money, gifts, relationships, control, and more
• Why some of the hardest sacrifices live inside wounds — and what to do with that

It's easy to give what we're ready to let go of. It costs us nothing — and deep down, we know it. But real sacrifice? That's what's locked in the safe. The thing you're protecting with everything you have because it matters. Your time, your plans, your relationships, your reputation, your need for control. God's not asking for your clutter. He's asking for your best. And the invitation today is to pause, pray, and ask Him honestly — what's He calling you to unlock?

Key Takeaways:

• God sees the heart behind the gift — not just the gift itself
• First and best is the standard Abel modeled, and it still applies today
• Giving from abundance is easy; giving from sacrifice is what honors God
• The "safe" represents whatever you're holding onto most tightly — that might be exactly what God is asking for
• This applies to more than money: time, gifts, relationships, rest, plans, reputation, and rights all count
• Surrender isn't loss — it's an invitation for God to do more than you could imagine

Question for you to think about:
What's in your safe right now — and what would it look like to unlock it and offer it to God?

If this episode challenged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and subscribe so you never miss a new episode. Drop a comment below: What's one area where God is calling you to give your best instead of your leftovers?

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

#MidweekMotivation #ChristianPodcast #Sacrifice #Generosity #FaithInAction #WestsideCommunitychurch #GivingToGod #ChristianLiving #BiblicalGenerosity #Genesis4 #OpenHanded #SpiritualGrowth #Stewardship #JesusFollower #Surrender

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Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about the chain reaction. 

#time #now #thetimeisnow #godstiming #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

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What do you do when you're standing in front of a decision and you're not sure if it's God opening a door — or if you're forcing one open yourself? In this episode, Pastor Jess and Pastor Gabe unpack a framework for discerning God's will that has shaped Westside's biggest current decision as a church, and works just as well for parenting, marriage, career, and the everyday moments where you're asking, "Is this from the Lord, or is this just me?"

Discover:

• The "painted doorway on a brick wall" picture and what it reveals about forcing God's hand
• The 5-filter framework for discernment: Word, Spirit, Counsel, Circumstances, Spiritual Unity
• Why God's will never contradicts God's Word — and why that has to be filter number one
• How to tell the difference between the Holy Spirit's confirmation and His conviction
• The "rudder vs. rowing against the current" picture for Spirit-led living
• Why every believer needs a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy in their corner
• The "squeeze the lime" principle — stewarding what you already have before asking for more
• Why favorable circumstances alone aren't enough to confirm an open door
• How spiritual unity protects big decisions in marriage, family, and the church
• Real examples from parenting school choices, waiting on a spouse, and Westside's current building decision

Most of us have tried to muscle our way through a wall we painted to look like a door. It hurts, it doesn't work, and it leaves us exhausted. The good news is that God isn't hiding His will from you. He's already given you His Word, His Spirit, godly people, real-life circumstances, and a community to walk with. When you slow down enough to let those five things speak together, what felt foggy starts to feel clear — and when an actual door opens, you'll recognize it because you won't have to break it down.

Key Takeaways:

• God's will never contradicts God's Word — if it fails filter one, you don't pass go
• The Holy Spirit is your rudder; peace and dissonance both have something to teach you
• Counsel that never challenges you isn't counsel — it's an echo chamber
• Don't mistake favorable circumstances for confirmation; run them through the other filters first
• Steward what's already in your hand before you ask God for more
• When the wind is in the sail, you know it — stop trying to blow into your own sails

Question for you to think about: What's a decision in front of you right now where you've been forcing a door — and what would change if you ran it through all five filters this week?

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode
• Drop a comment with the decision you're discerning right now — we'll pray for you
• Share this with someone in a season of big decisions
• Connect with us at Westside Community Church

LINKS & RESOURCES: SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

#MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunityChurch #GodsWill #Discernment #OpenDoors #HolySpirit #ChristianPodcast #FaithDecisions #HearingGod #ChristianLiving #BiblicalWisdom #WalkingWithGod #ChristianCommunity #FaithAndLife #SurrenderToGod

Send us Fan Mail

Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about Stepping Through the Door. 

#time #now #thetimeisnow #godstiming #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

What if the most important thing that was supposed to happen this week… didn't? Not because God didn't show up — but because you didn't recognize the moment when He did. In this week's Midweek Motivation, Jess sits down with Rita — former atheist of 13 years and now one of the most spiritually tuned-in people you'll meet — for a powerful, honest conversation about hearing God's voice, stepping into His nudges, and what happens when we explain them away.

Discover:

• How a 13-year atheist heard God's voice for the first time on an ordinary Sunday morning
• Why knowing Scripture is the foundation for recognizing God's voice
• The "quiet persistence" test — the clearest sign God is actually speaking
• How to tell the difference between God's nudge and your own thoughts
• Why intellectualizing and debating pushes you away from obedience
• A real-time story of a late-night call that came straight from the Holy Spirit
• The Esther 4:14 principle and what "such a time as this" really means
• The simplest prayer for hearing God: "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening"

Reflection paragraph: God is still speaking. He still nudges. He still calls ordinary people into extraordinary moments. The question was never whether He's talking — the question is whether we're listening, and whether we'll move when He moves us. Some of the most important assignments of your life are hiding behind a quiet thought you keep brushing off. Don't explain it away. Stay in the Word, stay close, and when the nudge comes — go.

Key Takeaways:

• God's voice always lines up with His Word and His character — no exceptions
• Familiarity is everything; you recognize the voice you spend time with
• Quiet persistence is one of the clearest signs God is speaking
• Debating and "logicking it out" is how we lose the moment
• Don't ask "why me?" — God chose you because you're uniquely positioned for this
• Even if you miss the nudge, God will still work. But you miss the privilege of being used.
• The simplest response you can give is: "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening" — and then actually listen

Question for you to think about: When was the last time you felt a quiet, persistent nudge from God — and what did you actually do with it?

Calls to Action: If this conversation hit you, do three things: hit subscribe so you never miss an episode, share this with one person who needs to hear it, and drop a comment telling us about a time you obeyed (or missed) a nudge from God. We read every one.

• LINKS & RESOURCES: SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give
• STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

#MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunityChurch #HearingGodsVoice #HolySpirit #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #SpiritualDiscernment #ChristianDiscipleship #SuchATimeAsThis #SpeakLord #ChristianGrowth #FaithInAction #PortlandChurch #JesusFollower #BiblicalTeaching

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Welcome to Westside! Engage in the chat and follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad and Ken Wooten bring us a message about Such a Time as This. 

#time #now #thetimeisnow #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad #kenwooten

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts, or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

Caleb and Maria are in their 20s, expecting their first baby, and asking the question every parent eventually has to face: why bring a kid into a world that feels this broken? Jess sits down with them to talk about stewardship, the mindset shift before baby arrives, and why Christians can't afford to check out of the world we've been entrusted with.

Discover:

• Why this generation is course-correcting away from idolizing the world and back toward Jesus
• How becoming a parent magnifies (instead of dampens) your call to change the world
• The "live for them, not just die for them" reframe that's reshaping how Caleb is preparing for fatherhood
• How Caleb's grandparents broke a generational cycle of abuse — and the one agreement they made that changed everything
• Why sponsoring a child you'll never meet is biblical stewardship in action
• Practical first steps for anyone who wants to make a difference but has no idea where to start
• What it looks like to set your eyes on things above while still showing up for things below

Reflection: You don't have to be expecting a baby to feel the weight of this conversation. Every one of us has been entrusted with something — a marriage, a job, a season, an opportunity — and stewardship just means returning it better than we got it. The kingdom of heaven isn't only a future hope; it's something we get to participate in building right now. The question isn't whether you have enough to give. The question is whether you're willing to start.

Key Takeaways:

• Stewardship starts with remembering nothing you have is actually yours — it's been entrusted to you
• "You say you'd die for them, but would you live for them?" — the daily decision matters more than the dramatic one
• You don't need a perfect family lineage to be a great parent; use what you didn't like as fuel
• The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few — rest matters, but so does urgency
• "Try the different flavors of ice cream" — you don't have to know your exact calling to take the first step
• Volunteering reorients your heart posture from inward to outward, every single time

Question for you to think about: Would you live for the people you say you'd die for?

Calls to Action: If this episode hit, subscribe so you don't miss what's coming. Drop a comment with the moment that landed for you. Share it with the parent, the expecting couple, or the friend who needs to hear it. And if you're in the Portland area, come visit Westside this weekend — we'd love to meet you.

• LINKS & RESOURCES: SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give
• STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

#MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunityChurch #ChristianParenting #FaithAndFamily #Stewardship #KingdomOfHeaven #FirstTimeParents #ChristianPodcast #FaithForward #ExpectingParents #ChristianMarriage #BiblicalParenting #LiveForJesus #PortlandChurch #ChristianMotivation

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Welcome to Westside! Engage in the chat and Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about On Earth As It Is In Heaven.

#heaven #comealive #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

What if everything you thought about heaven was wrong — and the real picture was so much better it actually changed the way you live right now? Pastor Gabe Kolstad digs into what Scripture genuinely says about heaven, and it's not clouds and harps. This one will shift your perspective.

Discover:

• What Revelation 21 and Colossians 3 actually say about heaven and the eternal state
• Why the "new earth" is the ultimate destination — not a floating spiritual realm
• What your resurrection body will be like (more physical than you'd expect)
• Restoration, reunion, and rewards — what those really mean for eternity
• How your view of heaven directly shapes the way you live today
• The difference between living for the dot vs. living for the line
• How to know for sure that heaven is your destination

There's coming a day that will be better than anything we experience right now — and that's not wishful thinking, that's what every biblical author points to. If you let this sink in, it won't just give you hope for later. It will give you fuel for today.

Key Takeaways:

• Heaven will be a real, physical, tangible place — not a vague spiritual existence
• You will have a body, eat, work, rest, create, travel, and be in relationship
• Those who suffered on earth will be fully restored and comforted
• You will be reunited with and recognized by loved ones who've gone before you
• Sacrificing for God's kingdom now is literally building your future in eternity
• Stop living for the dot. Start living for the line.

Question for you to think about: Are you living your daily life with eternity in mind — or are you only building for right now?

Calls to Action: If this episode stirred something in you, share it with someone who needs hope today. Drop a comment — what's one thing about heaven that surprised you or encouraged you most? If you said yes to Jesus for the first time today, text the word JESUS to 503-905-9067 — Pastor Gabe wants to hear from you and get you started.

LINKS & RESOURCES: SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

#Heaven #WhatIsHeaven #MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunityChurch #ChristianPodcast #EternalLife #BibleTeaching #FaithAndLife #GabeKolstad #Revelation21 #ChristianMotivation #LiveForEternity #Hope #AfterLife #NewEarth