“For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” (Rom. 1:11-12 NLT)

Encouragement is greatly needed!

Encouragement is something we can freely and generously give to each other. It is to give support or confidence. To stimulate one another spiritually. It is to applaud, boost, brighten, buck up, buoy, cheer up, comfort, console, embolden, energize, enhearten, enliven, fortify, galvanize, gladden, hearten, inspire, inspirit, praise, prop up, rally, reassure, refresh, restore, revitalize, revivify, rouse, and/or strengthen. 

Encourage and build up one another

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (2 Thess. 5:11 NIV)

Look for ways to encourage one another toward love and good deeds

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24-25 NIV)

God gives endurance and encouragement to you

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” (Rom. 15:5 NIV)

“And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” (Luke 22:35 NASB)

“The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” (Isa 58:11 NLT)

You will not lack anything 

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China, said, “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” So true! When I was hired in August of 1971 to be the director of Whatcom County Youth For Christ (YFC), I was told they didn’t have the money to hire me. But, they told me they would certainly pay me each month “if the money was available”. So, I started work understanding those conditions. I stood on God’s promise, found in Phil. 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” And He certainly did! I worked for YFC as director for twenty years and never once missed a single paycheck! God was faithful to meet every need, often in amazing ways. More than once, several checks would arrive in the mail on the last day of the month of various odd amounts, that would add up to the exact amount needed. On top of that, we would often wake up to find bags of fresh fruit, vegetables and groceries on our porch. What a blessing it was!

God equips you in every good thing you do to do His will 

“Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb. 13:20-21 NASB)

“Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8 KJV).

 Righteousness from God

“He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalms 24:4-5 ESV)

 Pure, peaceable, gentle and more

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)

You are known by your acts

“Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.” (Prov. 20:11 ESV)

A sincere brotherly love

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22 ESV)

 Love that issues from a pure heart 

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (Tim. 1:5 ESV)

 Be pure and blameless

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (Phil. 1:9-10 ESV)

 What to think about

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8 ESV)

 Pure and undefiled religion 

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27 ESV)

 Guard your heart accord to the Word

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9 ESV)

“Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars.” (Prov. 9:1 NASB)

What are the 7 pillars of wisdom?

Lots of opinion and commentary has been written about what the “7 pillars of wisdom” are. In fact entire books have been written on the subject. But, I will simply refer to the previous chapter, Prov. 8:12-14, where 7 characteristics of wisdom are listed. 

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate. “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.”

 (Prov. 8:12-14)

The above passage lists seven ways we can become wiser in the way we deal with things in our lives.

1. Prudence: “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Prov. 27:12 ESV)

2. Knowledge & discretion: “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might.” (Prov. 24:5 ESV). “My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion.” (Prov. 3:21 ESV)

3. Fear of the Lord: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7 ESV) 

4. Counsel: “Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.” (Prov. 8:14 ESV)“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14 ESV)

5. Sound wisdom: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)

6. Understanding: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 NIV)

7. Power: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)

“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.” (Prov. 8:32 NIV)

 Listen and be wise

“Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.” (Prov. 8:33-34 NIV)

 Find life and receive favor 

“For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.” (Prov. 8:35 NIV)

 Don’t fail to find wisdom!

“But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” (Prov. 8:36 NIV)

 “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.” (Prov. 8:22-23 NLT)

 Before the oceans …

“I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.” (Prov. 8:24 NLT)

 Before mountains and hills …

“Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born— (Prov. 8:25 NLT)

 Before the earth and fields …

“Before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.” (Prov. 8:26 NLT)

 Before He established the Heavens …

“I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above,
    when he established springs deep in the earth.” (Prov. 8:27-28 NLT)

 When He set the limits of the seas …

“I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.   And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,” (Prov. 8:29 NLT)

 Wisdom was His constant delight! 

“I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!” (Prov. 8:30-31 NLT)

You get the spirit of wisdom and revelation through the knowledge of Him

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” (Eph. 1:16-19 ESV)

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.” (Prov. 8:12 NLT)

 Wisdom hates pride and arrogance 

“All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.” (Prov. 8:13 NLT)

 Wisdom brings insight, common sense, strength and success 

“Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.” (Prov. 8:14-16 NLT)

 Love wisdom, search for it, and you will find it

 “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.” (Prov. 8:17 NLT)

 Wisdom’s gifts are better than the purest gold

 “I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!  I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.” (Prov. 8:18-21 NLT)

“Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.” (Prov. 8:1-4 NLT)

 Use good judgment and show some understanding 

“You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.” (Prov. 8:5-6 NLT)

 Wisdom’s advice is wholesome

“Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it.” (Prov. 8:7-8 NLT)

 Wisdom’s words are plain and clear

“My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” (Prov. 8:9-11 NLT)

“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Prov. 7:1-3 NIV)

 Words of wisdom and insight will keep you from evil seduction 

“Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”  They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.” (Prov. 7:4-5 NIV)

 An example of what wisdom and insight will protect you from 

“While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month.[b]” So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap,[c] awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life.” (Prov. 7:6-23 NLT)

So listen and pay attention!

“So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.” (Prov. 7:24-27 NLT)