Periodically, I’ll feel led to do a series of Prophetic Nuggets that are connected either by scripture or theme. This is one such grouping. It is a series of 11 Prophetic Nuggets based on the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP):
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The first Prophetic Nugget is called “Bear Fruit.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us]…
Beloved, dwell with Me. Let My Spirit do its work in you. A plant without water will not flourish, it will die. Allow the water of My Spirit to refresh and bring forth life in and through you. If you abide with Me, you cannot help but bear fruit. And that fruit will be abundant and visible to all, it will be sweet, and it will teach others of Me without you saying a word. You will simply reflect Me and My character.
Stay in My presence. Choose to hover there. In these periods of gestation, I AM growing beautiful things in you. Let them come to full term, let them mature. Take your time with Me. There are blessings that only come in My presence and I desire those for you greatly. Come be with Me and see what comes forth as a result.
John 15:4 (AMP) Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.
The second Prophetic Nugget is called “Love Like Me.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others]…
Beloved, to be like Me you must walk in love; thinking of others’ needs above your own and considering their interests and feelings. Bear with them in love. Take the high road, walking in humility even in moments when your flesh is screaming. Love.
I’m not asking you to let others use or abuse you; there are moments to stand fast, but there are moments to yield even when your flesh cries to be defensive or offended, but instead you walk like Me: in love. In understanding. In humility. I AM with you. I will strengthen you. Be known for your love.
Ephesians 4:2 (VOICE) Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love.
The third Prophetic Nugget is called “Bring Forth Joy.”
Galatians 5:22 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…joy,
Beloved, let joy spring from deep within you, like waters bubbling up from the deep. Joy is not dependent on circumstance (“happenings” as happiness is), but rather comes from a heart rooted in Me, watered by My Spirit, one that knows the love of their Creator and the grace they’ve been extended.
Allow joy to be your perfume, exuding from you as people bask in your presence. May it reflect the difference in you, and cause others to see Me in you – to recognize Me in your countenance. Rest in that joy, and hold to it in all circumstances remembering the joy that comes from Me brings strength. So be strengthened and strengthen others by carrying My joy because it is contagious. Let joy arise!
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV) …the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The fourth Prophetic Nugget is called “Cultivate the Peace of My Presence.”
Galatians 5:22 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…[inner] peace…
Beloved, the quiet that you find inside is from Me. Seek it. Cultivate it. Cultivate the quiet that exudes – that shalom that others can feel. It is a tangible and comforting presence, like a deep exhale – rest for the tired and soul weary. My peace isn’t a passive presence – it wars against chaos – much like light dispels darkness, My peace dispels chaos and stress.
So find that place within you where I reside. Cultivate and enlarge its footprint in your life. Make room. Make way. Open the doors for Me to flood you with the peace of My presence. Then dwell there, refusing to be moved regardless of circumstances or the world around you. I AM peace and I AM with you. Watch and pray.
The fifth Prophetic Nugget is called “Godly Patience, a Tangible Love.”
Galatians 5:22 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting]…
Beloved, remember that your actions reflect on Me. Whether you are aware or not, people watch to see how you react and respond to people and situations. They want to know if relationship with Me and My presence in a person really make a difference. Pause and ponder what messages you send about Me and if they’re the ones you want and intend to send.
I’ve instructed you to bear with one another in love. Just as I AM patient and long-suffering with you, I have asked you to do likewise with those around you. Reflect Me. Reflect My heart. Show that the fruit of My Spirit in you is a godly patience that operates in true, tangible love. Let that fruit be manifest for all to see for it is good.
Ephesians 4:2 (GW) Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other.
The sixth Prophetic Nugget is called “Be My Love with Skin On.”
Note: in scripture, things were often repeated for emphasis in the same way we bold or italicize things now. So when God chooses to repeat something, He’s saying, “This is important.” With that said, I smiled when He launched into a second nugget on this scripture.
Galatians 5:22 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting]…
Beloved, it is never worth wounding someone’s heart over your schedule, your “rights”, or your pride. No matter how pressed for time you may feel, the people I place around you are there by design. They are opportunities to be My love. The frazzled checkout clerk who has been swamped all day may desperately need your smile rather than yet another frustrated customer who is short with them.
You may never know what’s going on behind the scenes. You may never know what fruit your actions bring, but I do. I see when your moment of kindness tilts the balance in that person’s life so they choose life for one more day rather than giving up. You may not know the full impact your actions have, but that doesn’t mean your actions aren’t having impact.
So choose to kill your flesh. Cultivate patience. Respond in love even when the world would say you have a “right” to be affronted. Be My love with skin on. Bear fruit and bear it abundantly.
The seventh Prophetic Nugget is called “Kindness is Contagious.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…kindness,
Beloved, as My fruit multiplies within you, let it pour forth from your heart in the form of kindness. Be known for being one who is gracious and generous of spirit, full of mercy and overflowing with compassion. Let kindness be your trademark.
Nurture others’ wellbeing, making their interests your focus trusting that I will make yours My own. Encourage those around you to operate in joy and love simply by doing so yourself. Kindness is contagious. Spread it liberally!
The eighth Prophetic Nugget is called “Let My Love Nourish You.”
Galatians 5:22 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…goodness…
Beloved, let fruit pour forth from a rich relationship with Me. I AM always here, I AM always ready, and I always love you. Reach out to Me. Let Me be your nourishment. As the saying goes, you are what you eat, so dine on My word as the choicest of meats and drink deeply of My saturating love.
Then let goodness pour forth from your life – the fingerprints of Me made manifest. Bear fruit, beloved. Operate in integrity – simply because I see, and you desire to walk in a manner pleasing to Me. Do it with joy knowing the pleasure you bring. Let your light shine brightly. Set an example to others. Walk in the fullness of all I’ve made you for.
The ninth Prophetic Nugget is called “Let Your Actions Declare My Faithfulness.”
Galatians 5:22 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…faithfulness,
Beloved, I AM forever faithful, setting the example for My children. Allow My Spirit to bring forth faithfulness in you. That you might be focused and singleminded, a picture of loyalty and steadfastness – displaying My character and nature as you reflect Me.
Bear sweet fruit, beloved. You are made in My image, empowered by My Spirit, this character is not beyond your reach. It requires trust in Me – a trust that demonstrates to the world that I AM good and worthy of trust. Your actions will speak far louder than your words ever could, so declare My faithfulness by surrendering your all to Me knowing I AM full of love and worthy of your heart. Be at peace, I will meet you there for I AM good.
James 1:8 (VOICE) The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your compass and leaves you dizzy and confused.
The tenth Prophetic Nugget is called “Be Sensitive.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…gentleness…
Beloved, there are moments to be bold, but there are also moments to be gentle. Allow My Spirit to show you the difference. Keep your flesh in check in the moments it wants to reign free, but I’m calling you to keep it in check – remember that you rule it, not vice versa. Allow Me to lead and trust Me as I do.
In the same way My voice both thunders and is still and small, so must you be sensitive to what the moment calls for. There are some to whom a raised voice will always equal violence, and in the same way, some view gentleness as a license to walk all over you. Trust Me to know the difference and allow My Spirit to bring forth My fruit in your character as you stay yielded to My flow.
Proverbs 29:11 (CJB) A fool gives vent to all his feelings, but the wise, thinking of afterwards, stills them.
The eleventh Prophetic Nugget is called “Exercise Your Self-Control.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…self-control…
Beloved, I have called you to be holy as I AM holy. Simply because you won’t be able to walk out personal righteousness perfectly is no excuse not to do your best. Not out of a sense of burden or trying to earn your salvation (which is a gift freely given by grace), but out of a place of love and honor – seeking to do that which pleases Me and aligns with My word.
I have given you self-control and empowered you by My Holy Spirit. You are more able than you believe and more able even than you’ve experienced. Like a muscle that builds strength with use, self-control becomes stronger as it is exercised. So choose not to respond when provoked. And choose not to indulge your flesh when it’s not beneficial. Choose to do that which is godly even when (and in fact especially when) it is in direct opposition with the flow of the world.
Exercise your self-control, beloved, and watch it grow and strengthen. It becomes easier to choose rightly and even the desire to choose that which is in opposition to Me (or even that which is fruitless) diminishes and loses its draw. Remain steadfast. Lean into the Holy Spirit for strength. Extend grace to yourself when you fall short, and simply start again. Be holy, beloved, as I AM holy.