Gone Bible

The Bible provides us with instruction on how to live a life that pleases God and brings us deep joy and satisfaction. In Psalm 19, we can read these words:
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

Angela Halili and Arielle Reitsma are the co-hosts of a podcast called, Girls Gone Bible, which has over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube. 

And, yes, the name is not coincidental - as a God Reports article notes: "In a twist on the worldly term 'Girls Gone Wild,'...Angie and Ari launched a YouTube podcast called 'Girls Gone Bible.' It encourages young women to be bold for Jesus." The article notes:

“We’re a couple of girls who used to be wild,” says Angie, who refers to her friend as a “spiritual Navy SEAL.”

The article says that the podcast "was born of their desire to encourage each other and everyone who struggles with imperfections but wants to serve a perfect God. "

And who are these ladies who have "gone Bible?"

Angela Halili’s relationship with God boomed when Jesus delivered her from alcoholism.

“I get into my 20’s and I have a panic attack one time, chronic panic attacks and after that it goes on for years,” says the Albania-born actress. “I did the only thing I knew how to do, and I started to self-medicate with alcohol.”

At the time, her faith background did not help her - she had not "gone Bible" because she hadn't read it. The article says, "She suffered anxiety, depression, derealization and depersonalization. She worked at a night club while her acting career floundered." And then...she "met a pastor who began to instruct her in the Word of God and pray for her. By 2019, the Word was taking effect; she has been sober ever since."

As for Arielle Reitsma, she was raised in the U.S. "in an unstable home that bred anxieties in her about her career, money, and relationships. Therapy didn’t help." The article goes on to say:

In fact, she worried so much that she cried four times from nervousness on the day she met Angie. “I was just sitting there sobbing and all of a sudden I look over and there was Angie, and she sat with me and she just held my hand,” Ari remembers. “I remember the first time you prayed for me, and that’s the first time I remember, and it was the most beautiful, moving thing I had ever experienced.”

Ari describes herself as "...an overthinker, who dwelled. I didn’t have much faith because I was in constant worry about what was going to happen next. It was such a horrible way to live.” But, God Reports says, "Slowly the anxiety-ridden aspiring actress learned to trust God with her future. She surrendered everything."

Both of them have experienced what Angie describes as a mind being "rewired" - Angie says her "brain" was "rewired" and she was enabled to quit drinking, and Ari's retraining of her mind enabled her to begin to conquer anxiety. 

No matter what "wildness" that people may have sought previously in their lives, the Holy Spirit can give us the strength to overcome the power of the flesh - worldly, evil desires that are not pleasing to God.  He will change us, as Romans 12 teaches us, by the renewing of our minds.  There is great power available to the believer who will think on Biblical truth and allow the Scriptures to fill our minds. 

We can consider whether or not we are living by the teachings of the Bible or if we are allowing untamed desires to take root in our hearts and control us.  If we have truly "gone Bible," it means that His Word is taking control of our thoughts and actions; we reject worldly wisdom and embrace the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.