© 2011 Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

Psalm 45: 1 (Amplified) MY HEART overflows with a ^[a]goodly theme; I address my psalm to a King. My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.

“Spiritual Vomit”!?!? What the heck is that you may be asking…?  Does it sound gross to you? It should. The repercussions that come from not purging your soul, can cause you to have unexpected verbal accidents.

As I have been taught, man is a tri-part being he is a spirit that possesses a soul/heart (where his thinker, feeler, and chooser reside) and he has and lives in body.  When we die in the physical our spirit man is separated from our flesh (our earth suit) and the decisions we made while we were alive affect where we end up living out eternity.

My spirit man, when I became born again was made new. However my soul/heart needs to be renewed daily.  That means what I allow into its gates through my ears, my eyes, by what I touch and what comes out of my mouth must line up with the Word of God.  This way my spirit and soul/heart can become on one accord.  When they are not, the possibility for verbal accidents based in flesh to happen can seem unavoidable.  For example, I have been called snappy on more than number of occasions, as it relates to my responses… snappy means briskly cold. Am I proud of it? No, it’s an area where I need to continue develop in.  It’s an area where I can visualize my spirit man physically getting ill because it has to witness my soul/heart controlling how my body reacts to situations.  Its base is fear…

Going back to the topic of this article, “Spiritual Vomit”; if you noticed above I made mention that our soul/heart is where our thinker, feeler, and chooser reside.  So it is safe to say that if you think a certain way, and feel a certain way you will choose to do a certain action, right?  Again hypothetically speaking, if I think on doing something for a while (mediate on it), I will begin to have strong feelings and eventually will choose to do it or because I have been mediating on it for so long, I will begin to act out on my thoughts by instinct.  Think of a person that has learned to drive.  After awhile the fact that in order to keep the car moving forward requires them to press their foot on the accelerator and hold onto the steering wheel to keep the car steady will become almost as instinctual as breathing.

The same can be said about a person and their attitudes towards others. If you think a particular way about a person, you will begin to feel also a particular way about them and so either way good, bad or indifferent will begin to treat them based on those feelings.  When you see them your face may also read a different message to what you are actually saying.  This scenario can also cause you to seem phony, not truthful to people because you are attempting to mask your feelings.  I am not saying it’s ok either to go around telling people exactly how you truly feel, because it can be considered offensive.  Depending on the delivery, the timing and the words you use… Trust me, I know.  Choose your battles… However, I do recommend that you examine yourself before you react.

If you are not cautious with your words, you may even begin to make comments that reflect flesh based feelings.  These little comments may seem accidental but are really what you are feeling in the city of your soul.

Usually what makes you angry is what you are afraid of.  Or what annoys you, is what you have given power to trigger negative reactions from you.  When my Pastor taught these two points a number of years ago it really hit home.  What more than anything hit me is that I can choose how I react and what I react to.  I have the ability to stop verbal slip ups from escaping my lips.

Now what are some of the repercussions of NOT purging your soul?

1)      Lost relationships

2)      Doors of opportunity being shut

3)      Communication breakdown

Cheers to fewer clean ups in the aisle called you!

Reference Scriptures

John 6:63 (Amplified) It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.

Romans 8:1-7 (Amplified) ¹THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.^(A)

²For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.

³For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [^[a]the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [^[b]subdued, overcame, ^[c]deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],^(B)

⁴So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].

⁵For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and ^[d]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and ^[e]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.

⁶Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that ^[f]comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].

⁷[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.

⁸So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.

© 2011, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31:15-17 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁵She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.^(A)

¹⁶She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]

¹⁷She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.

So… you missed the mark. You sinned. You were disobedient to God’s will / His word. Now what? FYI Its okay, God already knows what you did. Will there be consequences? Sure there will be. It’s okay to go to him and talk about it and get the instruction on how to get back on track. God is God, he created you and he has given you a purpose to fulfill. But first you need to get over yourself… (YOU-R-SELF)…  relax he is waiting for you; he has made an opening just for you in his busy schedule.

Psalm 32 (The Message)

A David Psalm

¹ Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be— you get a fresh start,
      your slate's wiped clean.
² Count yourself lucky—
God holds nothing against you
      and you're holding nothing back from him.
³ When I kept it all inside,
      my bones turned to powder,
      my words became daylong groans.
⁴ The pressure never let up;
      all the juices of my life dried up.
⁵ Then I let it all out;
      I said, "I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God."

   Suddenly the pressure was gone—
      my guilt dissolved,
      my sin disappeared.
⁶ These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
      when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
      we'll be on high ground, untouched.
⁷ God's my island hideaway,
      keeps danger far from the shore,
      throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.
⁸ Let me give you some good advice;
      I'm looking you in the eye
      and giving it to you straight:
⁹ "Don't be ornery like a horse or mule
      that needs bit and bridle
      to stay on track."
¹⁰ God-defiers are always in trouble;
God-affirmers find themselves loved
      every time they turn around.
¹¹ Celebrate God.
      Sing together—everyone!
      All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

© 2011, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

1. 
   
   Write Jesus a letter beginning with "Lord, I know you love me because…," and list the ways he has shown his great love for you.
   
   
   
   Lord, I know you love me because you gave your life as a living sacrifice for me. You taught through your example to others that even though it is over two thousand years later I am still gleaning from your wisdom! You left me the greatest comforter, the Holy Spirit to be my daily guide. Even though you have been redeemed and have returned to sit at the father's side you STILL intercede on my behalf ceaselessly. With the simple calling of your name and my belief in your word, your only answer to me is always YES!
   
   There is SO much that I can list about how you have shown your great love to me, but the greatest is that you called me yours before I even knew how to utter your name. Each day I fall more and more in love with you as we grow more intimate with each other. All I want to do is serve you and your people. I know through my willing servitude and shift obedience to your voice, I show you my love, trust and respect in return.
   
   

1. 
   
   Read Psalm 103. List at least five of the many ways God shows his love for us. (If you are struggling to know the Father's love, consider memorizing this chapter so you won't forget "all his benefits.")
   
   
   
   The benefits that stand out for me are as follows, the complete chapter follows my highlights:
   
   
   
   
   1. God forgives us of ALL our generational sins (iniquities) and he heals us of ALL our diseases (things that don't put us at ease.)
      
   2. God redeems our lives from evil and makes them beautiful, dignified with his loving-kindness for his sake with tender mercy.
      
   3. Through our confessions he renews our youth like that of an eagle.
      
   4. God does not hold grudges.
      
   5. He removes transgressions from our lives.
      
   
   
   

   Psalm 103 (Amplified Bible)
   

   Psalm 103
   

   [A Psalm] of David.
   

    ¹BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
   
       ²Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits--
   
       ³Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
   
       ⁴Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
   
       ⁵Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!<sup>(A)
   
       6</sup>The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.
   
       ⁷He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
   
       ⁸The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.<sup>(B)
   
       9</sup>He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.
   
       ¹⁰He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
   
       ¹¹For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
   
       ¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
   
       ¹³As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
   
       ¹⁴For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.
   
       ¹⁵As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
   
       ¹⁶For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more.
   
       ¹⁷But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children's children--<sup>(C)
   
       18</sup>To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts].
   
       ¹⁹The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.
   
       ²⁰Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.
   
       ²¹Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure.
   
       ²²Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!
   
      
   
   Cross references:
   
   
   1. Psalm 103:5 : Isa 40:31
      
   2. Psalm 103:8 : James 5:11
      
   3. Psalm 103:17 : Deut 10:12
      
   Amplified Bible (AMP)
   
   Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
   
   

1. 
   
   In Mark 4:34-41 the disciples echoed Martha's question: "Don't you care?" What does this portion of Scripture teach us about the difficult times in our lives? (Consider Isaiah 43:1-2.)
   
   
   
   What these two passages of scriptures teach us is that even when it looks the most difficult; God has already said in HIS word (referencing Isaiah 43:1-2) that he would be with us. We need to stop having stock, believing in what we see with our natural eyes and begin to have faith in what he has promised us in his word. Jesus who was the word made flesh was in the boat with the disciples (referencing Mark 4:34-41), yet and still they had fear that they would perish. They were still in a state of disbelief. For even after he had calmed the waters and the winds; they could not comprehend the matter of man Jesus was. They still did not understand the authority or blessing they had amongst them. Praise God for our sake they eventually did!
   
   

1. 
   
   In this passage how did God minister to Elijah in the midst of his discouragement (1 Kings 19: 1-8)? How has God ministered to you when you felt alone and were hurting?
   
   
   
   In this passage of scripture Elijah is ministered to by God with the answering of his prayers. He told the Lord that he felt he was not strong enough to continue on to fight Jezebel and her maneuvers; that he was no better than his fathers before him. God being true to his form; gave Elijah what he asked for. He released him from his assignment, but at the same feed and protected him.
   
   
   
   When I have felt alone and hurting. God has presented me with others to minister to, to keep my mind off myself. To show me that what I think may be bad only pales in comparison to what someone else maybe going through. Other times he has even humbled me; by allowing me to hear the testimonies others that endured and were able to praise God in the end.
   
   
   
   Nothing that the world can toss me I cannot overcome, with God and through my faith in him!
   
   

1. 
   
   All of us have felt alone-even great heroes of the faith felt this way. Read 1 Kings 19:1-18. How did the "Deadly Ds" of distraction, discouragement, and doubt attack Elijah after the great victory over the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? I've completed the first one as a example:
   
   
   
   DISTRACTION: Jezbel's anger made him run for his life.
   
   
   DISCOURAGEMENT: He showed his discouragement by hiding away and taking offense with Israel on the Lord's behalf. He internalized worries and concerns that were the Lord's not his own. He forgot his lane or role in their relationship; him and God. He was the servant not the master.
   
   
   DOUBT: Elijah showed his doubt when he lost his confidence in himself and his relationship with God. He allowed fear to make him believe God could no longer protect him; he lost faith. When this happened all that God could do was instruct him to appoint those that would succeed him and kings of Israel and Judah.
   
   

1. 
   
   The story of Mary and Martha stirs up memories of sibling rivalry for many of us. What battles with your siblings do you remember the most? What did you do to get your parents to notice you?
   
   
   
   I didn't grow up really with my older siblings, due to a 15+ year gap between most of them and myself. I was raised as an only child until my niece moved in with us when I was 10 years old. She is just a year younger than me. I remember the first night she officially to moved in. She ran to hug me and in the process she knocked me down. I landed on my ankle, sprained it and ended up also with scratches on my arm. This was only round one, of our ongoing battle royale in the end we came to a truce… love J
   
   
   
   I didn't try to get noticed by my parents, I actually wanted to make sure that I DIDN'T draw any unneeded attention. I was what they call goodie two shoes; good grades and good behavior.
   
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Read Luke 10:38-42. Have you ever asked Martha's question, "Lord, don't you care?" What was the situation? How did God answer your question?
   
   
   
   The only real time I can remember ever asking the Lord, if he cared… I was young only barely of age (when I didn't know any better) and faced with the possibility of all I had worked so hard for in life coming down like stones at my feet. There were no funds available for me continue my schooling / college. That was 12 years ago and God is still answering the question. He is developing me for his glory!
   
   
   
   

1. 
   
   What spoke most to you in this, chapter.
   
   
   The morning my mother the beloved Thelma B. Jefferson went home to be with the Lord in the spring of 2006; I was very audibly awakened by the Holy Spirit. It was the first time I had ever been awakened in such a way and at the time in the morning. It was just before 4:00 AM. Being obedient I got up and began to pray in my heavenly language / tongues. The night before I had been told I was being recommended for a position to work full-time in ministry and was not completely sure about taking up the offer because it was not in one my strengths area. I knew it was my destiny to work in ministry, however I was not sure if it was the right season or timing for it.
   
   So, as I began to pray my heart at first was heavy. As I was led deeper into the spirit and began praising God I felt a peace. At the end of the hour or so, I lifted my hands up and said 'Lord, whatever people places or things you must remove out of my life in order for me to walk in your perfect will. I promise I will not become angry with you.' As I stated above that was the morning my mother went home to be with the Lord…
   
   Additional life changing events began to unfold shortly thereafter…relationship testing. I accepted the position and was released and brought back. Learned my boyfriend/fiancé of 6 years was cheating on me. My finances were hit, the list goes on. However through it all I kept my promise of not getting angry with God.
   
   Yet, our relationship became one of duty bound because I was trying to shield myself from being hurt again, versus one of release and restoration. Reading this chapter and doing the Bible Study showed me that. Real power comes from learning how to release your cares wants and desires back to God. He has a specific purpose for each of us and if we are bogged down, with burdens he did not want us to carry, we can miss the mark. Then what most of us do is look towards God and asking him why? When, we were the cause of it all; for we had stepped out of the protection that is found in being intimate with him.
   

1. 
   
   Read Matthew 11:28-30. Circle key words and mediate on these verses-really think about Jesus is saying. Then memorize this passage phrase by phrase. Write it on an index card, and refer to it frequently, repeating it until it becomes a part of you.
   
   
   
   Mark 11:28-30 (King James Version)
   
    ²⁸And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
   
    ²⁹And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
   
    ³⁰The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
   
   Mark 11:28-30 (Amplified Bible)
   
   ²⁸And they kept saying to Him, By what [sort of] authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do them?
   
       ²⁹Jesus told them, I will ask you a question. Answer Me, and then I will tell you by what [sort of] authority I do these things.
   
       ³⁰Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me