Kristi Burchfiel

Advice. We receive advice from all different types of people about all different types of things. Here, Solomon gives several pieces of general, practical advice. Read Proverbs 27. Advice – Proverbs 27:1-27 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them. Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Faithful are the…

The foolish, the lazy, the deceiver and the contentious. None of these have the characteristics or attributes that Christ is looking for, but all of these are very common in our world. Read Proverbs 26. The Foolish – Proverbs 26:1-12 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight. A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be…

Lead yourself. As you read through most leadership books, you will find an emphasis on the importance of a leading yourself first and foremost, before you can lead any one else. Read Proverbs 25. Dealing with Authority – Proverbs 25:1-10 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; Take…

What do you learn from wisdom and foolishness? Read Proverbs 24. The Characteristics of Wisdom – Proverbs 24:1-9 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble. By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the…

I wish… If only… It’s not fair that… All of these phrases have in common a lack of contentment with the current state of things. What are we desiring? Does it line up with Christ? Read Proverbs 23. Desire for wealth – Proverbs 23:1-11 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you, And put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, For it is deceptive food. Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly…

Reputation and integrity. What is the impression that others have of us? How are we known among the people we associate with? It will be based on our actions. Read Proverbs 22:1-29. The Actions of Integrity – Proverbs 22:1-29 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all. The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it. The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life. Thorns and snares…

Alcohol, money, power, relationships… all of these will be different depending on whether someone is wise or foolish in how the use these things. Read Proverbs 21. Contrast of Wisdom and Foolishness – Proverbs 21 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel. The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing. A plan in the…

Sleep well. My mother would tell me that and I tell my kids that. However, how we go about life during the day will determine whether we are able to sleep well. Read Proverbs 20. Keys for Life – Proverbs 20:1-29 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs. The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord . Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend. A…

Words. How we use words reveals a great deal about us and our wisdom, or lack thereof. Read Proverbs 18. A Fool and His Words – Proverbs 18:1-13 He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment. A fool’s lips bring strife, And his…

It’s not about what you have, it’s about how you act. Your actions are the telling signs of whether or not you have wisdom. Read Proverbs 17. Actions of the Wise – Proverbs 17:1-9 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts. An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker;…