Kristi Burchfiel

God’s plans, not our plans. It’s so interesting seeing how God moves and knowing how God must laugh as we create our plans. Read Proverbs 16. God sees the big picture – Proverbs 16:1-33 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord . All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to…

Inner thoughts and motives. God sees them all and they indicate our wisdom or foolishness. Read Proverbs 15. The thoughts that lead to the words – Proverbs 15:1-15 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible. Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble…

The character of wisdom. What does wisdom look like, sound like, act like? Read Proverbs 14. What Wisdom looks like – Proverbs 14:1-12 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands. He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord , But he who is devious in his ways despises Him. In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them. Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox. A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.…

Everything. Our wisdom, or lack thereof, impacts absolutely every area of our life. In everything that we do, if we are being wise, we will see the results of that. However, if we are acting foolishly, that will also be just as evident. Read Proverbs 13. Daily Life – Proverbs 13:1-10 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is violence. The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. The soul of the sluggard craves and…

What does it take to be wise? We have to be open to hearing the advice and counsel of others. Read Proverbs 12. Listening to Advice – Proverbs 12:1-28 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid. A good man will obtain favor from the Lord , But He will condemn a man who devises evil. A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the…

So many differences between those with wisdom and those without. As we continue to see that contrast, read through Proverbs 11. Integrity v. None – Proverbs 11:1-10 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord , But a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright…

Good verses evil. It’s the classic story if struggle between those two opposing forces. Read Proverbs 10. Characteristics of Righteousness vs. Characteristics of Evil – Proverbs 10:1-32 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother. Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked. Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest…

A choice. We each have a choice how we will proceed amd whether or not we will choose wisdom. Read Proverbs 9. Wisdom’s Invitation – Proverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says, “Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. “Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way…

Wisdom is calling. We’ve seen how important wisdon is, but it’s not just something to find. Wisdon is actually reaching out to us. Read Proverbs 8. The Call of Wisdom – Proverbs 8:1-14 Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice? On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand; Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. “O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom. “Listen, for I will speak noble things; And…

Adulteress. When it comes to giving wisdom to the son, Solomon wants to make sure to warn him about the temptation of the adulteress. Read Proverbs 7. The Lure of the Adulteress – Proverbs 7:1-12 My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your intimate friend; That they may keep you from an adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her words. For at the window of my house I…