The Word Go Project Blog

Coming Soon: We Can Do This!

2021-02-08T10:00:00.001-06:00

It's been a while since you've heard from us! The Word Go Project has been on hiatus for a while, getting ready to bring you an even better Season 2, and it's coming up very soon! One new exciting addition this season is that we will be releasing the music from each episode to be listened to on your favorite music streaming service. The soundtrack of Season 2, Episode 1, "We Can Do This!" is available now on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play Music (now known as YouTube Music), Amazon Music, SoundCloud, and many others. Visit this launch page for links to all of those services, and if your favorite is not on the list, search for the artist name "The Word Go" to see if we're there!

Meanwhile, this is a very special week. Valentine's Day is next Sunday, so if you haven't bought all of the chocolates, flowers, stuffed animals, engagement rings, etc. that you need, now is the time! While you're on your way, why not wind the clock back a bit and listen to the first ever episode of The Word Go Project, Season 1 Episode 1: "Love." It probably won't inspire her to say "yes" to that engagement ring, but it does have some good songs in it, and a word from God's Word about love!

Episode Extra: What if people aren't kind back?

2019-04-08T09:40:00.000-05:00

"That kindness stuff is all well and good," you might say, "but I was kind to [name of person redacted] and [she or he] was just a jerk to me! This kindness stuff just doesn't work at all!" Trust me, I've had the same thing happen to me before. Sometimes it doesn't seem like we are rewarded with the proper gratitude for our kindness. It's especially hard to swallow that kind of treatment when your kindness requires a sacrifice on your part!

But you know, the response of the person receiving your kindness is not the point here. Often when you exercise the Fruit of the Spirit, a change happens in the world around you (someone feels loved, someone benefits from your kind act, your patience results in a better thought-out response to something that helps everybody). But every time you exercise the Fruit of the Spirit, a change happens inside of you. When someone reacts negatively to your positive act, you have a choice. You can either respond in kind and lose the benefit you received from your spiritual action and sacrifice, or you can respond again with the same kindness (or with patience or peace or whatever the situation requires) and keep it, and maybe receive even more benefit. We don't live in the Fruit of the Spirit because we want a benefit, but the benefit is there... if you don't lose it for yourself!

Of course, in life in the Spirit, things always come back to the example of Jesus. Any of us would be hard-pressed to out-kind Him, the man who prayed for his executioners as they were killing Him. Soldiers were basically rolling dice at the base of His cross as He was dying to decide who would get His nice outfit when He was dead, and Jesus said to God, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (You can read it yourself in Luke 23:34.) Jesus had done nothing in his time on Earth but love, heal, feed, and teach people (well, except for corrupt religious leaders, but these soldiers weren't them) and His kindness was rewarded with crucifixion. And yet He responded once again with kindness and forgiveness. If that's not a positive reaction to a negative reaction to a positive act, I don't know what is!

Listen again to the latest episode at WordGoProject.com! For previous episodes, please visit Podcast.WordGoProject.com!

Episode Extra: Those Background Vocals!

2019-04-04T10:35:00.000-05:00

Have you been trying to figure out the lyrics of the 50's-style section at the end of "Kindness Walked Among Us"? Me too, and I sang them! I'm kidding, of course, but I realize the background vocals are a little hard to make out. Here's what it's saying, with the BGVs in parenthesis:

Don’t you know what God’s kindness is for? (It leads us!)
Just as God’s kindness led them before (from Egypt!)
He wants you to be able to be in (His presence!)
The kindness of God will lead you to be in (repentance!)

Romans 2:4 (ESV): "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" Let God's kindness lead you into His presence through repentance today! Check out this song and more at WordGoProject.com – for previous episodes, visit Podcast.WordGoProject.com!

Episode 5 Survey

2019-03-31T20:14:00.003-05:00

Hi, readers and listeners! Now is your chance to help make The Word Go Project better!

First of all, if you haven't yet listened to Episode 5 "Kindness"... why are you even here? Click on over to https://www.WordGoProject.com and give it a listen! Once you've listened to the episode, visit this link and fill out our short survey:

https://forms.gle/fraM7GvTBkevT1VM6

Most of the survey is multiple choice, so it shouldn't take long at all to fill out. Of course, there are fill-in-the-blanks questions for you to share any other information you would like us to know about. We want to know what makes the podcast good, and what we could change to make it better.

Thank you for your help! We want this podcast to be useful to you in your own Project to have God's Word in your heart as you Go!

Episode Extra: Divorce is not Kindness

2019-03-25T23:26:00.000-05:00

One sentence in Episode 5 bothers me a little bit:

When Joseph found out his fiancee Mary was already pregnant before they were married, by the law he had a right to have her stoned to death, but he chose the way of kindness, expressed by giving her mercy: “And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.”

The reason it bothers me is because I'm worried someone will think it means that in their situation getting a divorce would be a kindness. Certainly it was in this circumstance, but the reason it was in this situation is because the other option would be to stone Mary to death for infidelity. Joseph's kindness was that he was willing to put his own reputation on the line and let her live.

In most societies these days, there is no death penalty for infidelity. And indeed, the Bible makes it clear that divorce is really not a good first option, even in the case of adultery. Jesus said on several occasions, "...everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery." The apostle Paul wrote, "To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife."

That said, the Scripture does allow for divorces. My belief is that divorce should be a final option to end physical or mental abuse by one partner who refuses to stop. That said, the Bible uses marriage as a symbol of the relationship between Christ and the Church, so if both partners are fully willing to reconcile, it can become a beautiful picture of how loved each of us is by our Father God.

Divorce is not a kindness. Divorce rarely does more harm than good. If you feel yourself seriously considering that as an option, spend some time in prayer first, and please get some good solid counseling from a qualified Christian marriage counselor before you go that route.

For references to the Scriptures quoted above and for more Scriptures about Divorce and some great ones about Marriage too, visit our sister site, ScriptureMenu.com.

Episode Extra: Kindness Christmas Message

2019-03-22T15:30:00.000-05:00

One Sunday last December, the student pastor at my church delivered the message in the adult service. The message was about Kindness! After the service I found her and said, "Did you know that I'm doing a podcast about the Fruit of the Spirit, and Kindness is coming up really soon?" I told her not to be surprised if she listened to the finished product and recognized some of it from her message! Watch her message below, and then see if you can find parts that I "borrowed" in the latest episode of The Word Go Project, "Kindness"!

You can find the latest episode of The Word Go Project at https://www.WordGoProject.com, or listen to it along with all of the previous episodes at https://podcast.WordGoProject.com!

Season 1, Episode 5: Kindness

2019-03-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

Season 1 of The Word Go Project is about the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The three things we've chosen to talk about in this episode are:

Kindness Takes Many Forms
Simply Be Kind
Kindness Walked Among Us

Our three songs are titled:

Once Upon a Time
Simply Be Kind
Kindness Walked Among Us

You can listen to it all at WordGoProject.com! We hope you learn something useful about Kindness! For previous episodes, visit Podcast.WordGoProject.com!

Season 1, Episode 4: Patience

2019-01-06T13:00:00.000-06:00

Season 1 of The Word Go Project is about the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The three things we've chosen to talk about in this episode are:

God Is Patient With Us
We Can Be Patient During Hardships
We Should Be Patient With Others

Our three songs are titled:

God Is Patient With Us
Perfect And Complete
In Harmony With One Another

You can listen to it all at WordGoProject.com! We hope you learn something useful about Patience! For previous episodes, visit Podcast.WordGoProject.com!

Something to be thankful for: The Word Go Project Podcast!

2018-11-22T16:00:00.000-06:00

On Thanksgiving Day we all have lots of things to be thankful for. At The Word Go Project, we are thankful that God has given us a chance to share the truths of the Bible with you. Up to now, though, it has only been possible to listen to the single current episode at any given time. Now that is changing!

Today we are officially announcing The Word Go Project Podcast! It's the same great show you've been listening to over the past month or so, but now you can listen to any of the episodes any time you want. Did you miss episode #1, "Love"? Go back and listen to it now! Feel yourself getting low on "Joy"? Episode 2 "Joy" is available when you need it! And, as always, you can visit https://www.WordGoProject.com to enjoy the current episode (including the "Words Only" and "Songs Only" versions, the script, and the list of Scripture verses).

If your favorite podcasting app or site does not have The Word Go Project, please let us know in the comments below and we will contact them to add us. The direct link to the podcast is https://podcast.WordGoProject.com/. We should already (or soon) be available at:

iTunes
Google Play Music
Spotify
TuneIn

acast
blubrry
doubleTwist
FaithPlay
iHeartRADIO
player.fm
Pocket Casts
Podbean
Podchaser
Podknife
RadioPublic
Stitcher

Season 1, Episode 3: Peace

2018-11-12T09:00:00.000-06:00

Season 1 of The Word Go Project is about the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The three things we've chosen to talk about in this episode are:

God Is The Source Of Peace
Peace Comes Naturally As You Live For God
Peace With Other Christians Is Worth The Effort

Our three songs are titled:

I Give You Peace
Blow Your Mind
We Take Peace Wherever We Go

You can listen to it all at WordGoProject.com! Listen to it, and go in Peace!

Episode Extra: Love Causes Joy

2018-09-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes for the sake of brevity we have to skim over details when we write the Word Go Project episodes. We think this blog is a great place to elaborate a bit when there wasn't time to do it there!

In the Bible study (and in the song) we mentioned this statement that Jesus made:

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11 ESV)

When I listen to the episode, I immediately think, "WHAT things, Jesus? What were you talking about?" Let's backtrack a few verses and see what "These things" are.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2 ESV)

Well, THAT doesn't sound very joyful. Actually, that sounds a little bit ominous! I certainly don't want to be the branch that gets thrown away, and being "pruned" to bear more fruit seems like an unpleasant experience, too. What did He say next?

"Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:3-5 ESV)

Okay, so what Jesus was saying was that He is the source, and we need to live our lives connected to Him. It sounds like the pruning thing was not necessary because His disciples had heard Jesus' words and let themselves be cleansed by them. Cool!

"If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:6-7 ESV)

Wait, WHAAAT? "Whatever"? Like, anything at all? Well, actually, I think maybe you can ask whatever you wish because if you are "abiding in Jesus", so close that you think like Him, the things you ask Him for are going to be things He desires to provide anyway. This is great stuff!

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:8-11 ESV)

And there we are, back to our joy being full. So, our joy is full because we have connected ourselves to Jesus, which allows us to bear lots of fruit for Him. It's also because when we are connected to Jesus, we are directly connected to, and living within, His love. What is the main thing that causes your joy to be full?

God's love!

Season 1, Episode 2: Joy

2018-09-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Season 1 of The Word Go Project is about the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The three things we've chosen to talk about in this episode are:

God Wants You To Have Joy
You Can Have Joy When Life Is Hard
Joy Overflows In Praise To God

Our three songs are titled:

There Is Joy
I Count It Joy
Joy That Overflows

You can listen to it all at WordGoProject.com! We hope it brings you joy!

Episode 2 is coming up this Monday!

2018-09-12T17:24:00.002-05:00

We hope you've had plenty of time to enjoy the first episode of The Word Go Project! Episode 2 is almost ready to launch; it will be live next Monday, and the music is amazing! But until then, why not revisit Episode 1 a time or two? Once Episode 2 goes live, Episode 1 will no longer be available, so get all of the "Love" you can before we move on to "Joy"!

WordGoProject.com

Let us know what you think!

2018-07-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

We hope you've enjoyed spending this week with The Word Go Project! We wanted to point you toward our Facebook page - it is currently the best way to leave comments and suggestions for us. Pay us a visit at http://fb.me/WordGoProject!

WordGoProject.com

Season 1, Episode 1: Love

2018-07-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

Season 1 of The Word Go Project is about the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The three things we've chosen to talk about in this episode are:

God Loves You
God Deserves Your Love
God Gives Us His Love To Share With Others

Our three songs are titled:

Because He Loves You
So Many Reasons
Hot Potato

You can listen to it all at WordGoProject.com! We hope you love it!

How do I use The Word Go Project?

2018-07-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

The Word Go Project is designed to give you a variety of ways to "experience" the Word of God. The content is divided into "Seasons" and "Episodes", with one Episode available at a time. That Episode is available on mobile and desktop Web browsers in several formats.

Have 20 minutes to spare? Try the Full Experience! This is the way we recommend that you experience each episode the first time you listen to it. This version will be less than twenty minutes long, and will contain both the spoken Words and the Songs. In this experience, the Songs are intercut with the Words, so you can hear all of the materials in one sitting.

Only have 10 minutes? Check out the Words Only or Songs Only experience! Words Only contains the spoken Words version of the content. Typically it is seven or eight minutes long. The songs are used as a music bed behind the Words, so if you listen to this experience a few times and then listen to the Songs experience, the music will tie the two together for you, enhancing your understanding of both! Songs Only contains all three Songs, about nine or ten minutes' worth, played one after the other, with no speech to distract from the music. But remember - the Songs cover the same ground as the Words, so you are still learning as you listen!

Prefer reading to listening? Want to review the experience at your own page? The Read Words experience is for you! It contains the full text of the Words and Songs, for people who enjoy reading more than just listening, or who would like to read along.

Each Episode of The Word Go Project is available for a limited time - typically several weeks. Our recommendation is that you listen to one or more of the experiences at least several times a week. This allows you to absorb as much of the information as possible (it's too much to take in at one sitting!) and to learn and retain it by repetition. All experiences are ad-free, and available 24 hours a day. Please enjoy, and please let us know how the Word of God impacts your life via The Word Go Project!

Did you see: What is The Word Go Project?

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Why should I use The Word Go Project?

2018-07-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Learning is a tricky thing. The human mind has two different ways of storing information: short-term memory and long-term memory. Storing information in short-term memory is fairly easy—an example would be repeating a phone number over and over in your mind while you search for something to write it down on. It's helpful for things you only need to remember for a short time, because after a brief period, that memory is gone.

Storing information in long-term memory takes effort. Even for something as important as teachings from the Word of God, we often don't go the extra mile required to do so. We at The Word Go Project believe that it is worth the effort to put teachings from Scripture into long-term memory! But we also think there is an easier way for you to get truths from the Bible into your long-term memory.

Most every person who was a child in the United States in the 1970s can recite the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution from memory. The reason is a series of animated shorts called "Schoolhouse Rock" which we saw every Saturday morning, and specifically a segment called "The Preamble" which had a catchy jingle with the Preamble word-for-word as its chorus. The reason all of those kids-who-are-now-adults can still recite the Preamble is that repetition is the best way to store things in your long-term memory. Watching that cartoon every Saturday for months on end effortlessly implanted information in our minds that otherwise would have been a painful homework exercise.

Similarly, The Word Go Project is designed to facilitate repetition. Tomorrow in our "How" post we will explain more about how this works; for now just know that our goal is to make it easy for you to learn what the Bible is saying to you! We want to make learning about God's love letter to us, the Bible, as attractive an option as turning on the radio. We hope you enjoy it and make it part of your life!

That said, please attend the local church of your choice. Please make the effort to hear what God is saying to you through your pastor, and do whatever it takes to retain that information. Write it down, buy the CD, discuss the message with your family over lunch, whatever you can. But in between those times at church, use The Word Go Project to bring even more Word with you on the Go!

Tomorrow: How do I use The Word Go Project?

WordGoProject.com

What is The Word Go Project?

2018-07-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to The Word Go Project! We believe that you have never seen anything quite like it, and that it will change your life for the better!

The Word Go Project is an effortless way to incorporate the Word of God into your everyday life. Every episode contains three basic truths from the Bible on a topic, presented in a variety of "experiences". We select topics that we believe you can use right now, today, maybe within minutes after you listen to them! Our heart is that you will see things in the Word of God that you've never seen before!

Why do we call it "The Word Go Project"? Well, it's easy to tell why a project centered around the Word of God would have "Word" in its name. But why "Go"?

In the 21st century, people lead busy lives. We are always "on the go". We need the Word to "Go" with us!
Most people carry mobile phones around with them all of the time. Because The Word Go Project is designed to be used on those devices, you can take the Word "to Go"!
Jesus told his disciples in Mark 16:15. "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." A few sentences later in verse 20, it tells us that "...the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs." Jesus told them to "Go" and then they found that He wanted to "Go" with them!

The first few chapters of the Gospel of John tell us that Jesus is the personification of the "Word", when we take the Word with us as we Go, our lives can be filled with the presence of Jesus. Our prayer is that these materials will help you experience Him more every day!

Tomorrow: Why should I use The Word Go Project?

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