TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart explore Proverbs 31:23–24, revealing how wisdom, integrity, and faithful labor establish a lasting reputation. The virtuous woman's husband is respected among the city elders, while she builds a thriving business through diligence and skill. Together, they demonstrate a marriage marked by mutual trust, honor, and complementary strengths. Discover why genuine respect cannot be demanded or purchased; it must be earned through a life of wisdom and righteous conduct. Lesson 216-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by visiting MannaNation.com, calling 1-888-519-4935, or by...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart explore Proverbs 31:21–22, revealing how godly wisdom replaces fear with preparation. The virtuous woman provides for her household before winter arrives, yet also enjoys the fruits of her labor. Discover the surprising connection between her fine clothing and the garments of the tabernacle, and why Scripture teaches that true godliness is not measured by what we wear, but by the condition of our hearts and our willingness to care for others. Lesson 215-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by visiting MannaNation.com, calling 1-888-5...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart explore Proverbs 31:19–20, revealing a beautiful connection between honest labor and Christian generosity. The virtuous woman's hands work diligently at the spindle, then reach out to help the poor and needy. The Hebrew reveals that Scripture deliberately connects these two actions. Discover why biblical wisdom teaches us that work and generosity belong together; God blesses the labor of our hands that we might become a blessing to others. Lesson 214-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by visiting MannaNation.com, calling 1-888-519-4935, or by...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart explore Proverbs 31:17–18, revealing how the virtuous woman demonstrates strength, discernment, and endurance. Her willingness to work, examine her results, and persevere offers a powerful lesson in biblical wisdom. Discover the surprising connection to Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the LORD is good,” and why true wisdom requires more than knowledge; it calls for personal experience and faithful action. Lesson 213-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by visiting MannaNation.com, calling 1-888-519-4935, or by mail at PO Box 399 Vero Beach, FL 32961 MEGA F...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue their study of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:15–16, revealing a remarkable balance between meeting today's needs and preparing for tomorrow's opportunities. Rising before dawn, she provides for her household and servants; then, with careful planning and the earnings of her own labor, she purchases a field and plants a vineyard. Her example demonstrates that biblical wisdom embraces both compassionate stewardship and responsible investment. True prosperity is not merely what we accumulate, but what we faithfully provide, cultivate, and leave for those who follow. Lesson 212-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles an...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue their study of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:13–14, discovering that biblical wisdom is often demonstrated through ordinary work. The Proverbs 31 woman seeks wool and flax, works willingly with her hands, and reaches beyond her immediate surroundings to provide for her household. But the Hebrew reveals something beautiful: she works with the delight of her hands! This lesson explores the importance of initiative, preparation, resourcefulness, and finding satisfaction in honest labor. Whether managing a home, operating a business, or serving in ministry, we discover that faithfulness to God is de...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin their study of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10–12. But what does the Bible really mean by “virtuous”? The Hebrew word ḥayil speaks of strength, courage, and valor; qualities that reach far beyond the traditional picture of a good wife. Through the example of Ruth, we discover that true virtue is not measured by wealth, accomplishments, or social standing, but by godly character, trustworthiness, and lifelong faithfulness. This lesson reveals how Proverbs concludes with a beautiful portrait of wisdom put into practice, reminding us that a life grounded in the fear...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 31:8–9, where King Lemuel’s mother delivers her final and most important instruction: “Open thy mouth for the dumb.” Her charge is not merely to avoid injustice, but to actively defend those whose voices are ignored and whose lives are threatened. God calls His people to judge righteously, without favoritism, and to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. This lesson reveals that true leadership is measured not by power or wealth, but by how we treat the vulnerable. Ultimately, we see this principle fulfilled in Jesus Christ...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 31:6–7, one of the most frequently misunderstood passages in Proverbs. Why would Lemuel’s mother forbid wine to kings while permitting it to those who are dying or overwhelmed by sorrow? This lesson explores three interpretations of her counsel and the important distinction between temporary relief and genuine healing. The discussion ultimately leads to Calvary, where Jesus was offered wine mingled with myrrh to ease His suffering, yet refused it. Christ did not come merely to help us forget our suffering; He came to bear our sins and offe...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 31:3–5 and the sobering warnings King Lemuel received from his mother. She cautioned him against two dangers that have destroyed countless leaders: destructive relationships and intoxicating drink. Both can gradually rob a person of strength, clarity, and sound judgment. Yet her greatest concern was not simply protecting her son; it was protecting the vulnerable people who depended upon his decisions. This lesson reminds us that personal choices carry consequences beyond ourselves. Whether leading a nation, a family, or a ministry, we must guard our character and judgment for th...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin the final chapter of Proverbs with Proverbs 31:1–2 and the remarkable instruction King Lemuel received from his mother. She calls him “my son,” “the son of my womb,” and finally “the son of my vows.” Her words remind a king that before he ever wore a crown, he had been dedicated to God. This lesson explores the powerful biblical role of mothers in forming faith and character, while reminding parents that dedication does not guarantee a child’s choices. We can teach, pray, and point our children toward God; ultimately, each...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart conclude Proverbs 30 with Proverbs 30:32–33 and one of Agur’s most practical instructions: “lay thine hand upon thy mouth.” Press milk and you get butter. Press a nose and you get blood. Press anger and you get strife. The lesson is simple but powerful: once foolishness has begun, wisdom can still intervene before the next words make matters worse. Agur does not focus on resolving the argument; he teaches us how to prevent its escalation. Sometimes the wisest thing you can do in the next thirty seconds is simply stop talking...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 30:29–31 and four examples Agur describes as “comely in going.” His emphasis is not on what they accomplish, but on how they carry themselves. The lion does not turn aside, the girded creature moves prepared, the he-goat leads from the front, and the king walks securely in his position. This is not arrogance or swagger; it is quiet confidence that has nothing to prove. For the believer, that confidence is borrowed. We can walk boldly not because we are strong, but because we know where we stand and Who st...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue Agur’s study of the creatures that are “exceeding wise” in Proverbs 30:27–28. The locust has no king, yet moves in remarkable order; the spider, or possibly the lizard, is small and vulnerable, yet takes hold and finds its way into kings’ palaces. Together they teach two powerful lessons: cooperation and persistence. None of Agur’s four creatures overcomes its weakness; each learns to live wisely within it. God does not require us to possess every advantage before we can be useful. Sometimes wisdom means faithfully using what we already have...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 30:24–26 and the first two creatures Agur calls “exceeding wise.” The ant is weak, yet prepares in summer for a season that has not arrived. The coney is feeble, yet survives by making its home in the rocks. Neither creature wastes time wishing it were stronger; each wisely works within its limitations. Their lesson is powerful: biblical wisdom is not having every advantage, but knowing how to use what God has given you. The ant teaches preparation; the coney teaches refuge. Weakness does not prevent wisdom; sometimes it is wha...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 30:21–23 and four situations Agur says cause the earth itself to tremble. What connects them? Each involves someone receiving authority, provision, position, or inheritance without the formation necessary to carry it. The problem is not advancement; Scripture repeatedly shows God raising people from humble beginnings. The danger comes when elevation outruns character. Power does not create character; it exposes and amplifies what is already there. This lesson challenges us to value faithfulness in small things and allow God to prepare us before asking Him to promote us. Lesson 201-2...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Exodus 4:1–5 and God’s simple question to Moses: “What is that in thine hand?” Moses saw an ordinary shepherd’s rod, but God saw an instrument He could use. The rod represented forty years Moses may have considered wasted, yet when surrendered to God, it became “the rod of God.” This lesson reminds us that God’s calling may not be waiting for something we lack. The question may be what He has already placed in our hands, and whether we are willing to surrender it for His purposes...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 30:18–20 and four mysterious paths that leave no visible trace: an eagle through the air, a serpent across a rock, a ship through the sea, and the way of a man with a maid. Agur then makes a disturbing turn to the adulterous woman who sins, wipes away the evidence, and declares, “I have done no wickedness.” The greatest warning is not merely hidden sin, but a conscience that has become comfortable with it. When sin no longer troubles us, the silence of our conscience should never be mistak...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 30:15–17 and Agur’s vivid picture of appetites that can never be satisfied. The horseleech cries, “Give, give,” while the grave, the barren womb, parched earth, and fire never say, “It is enough.” Agur turns these images into a mirror for the human heart: what appetite within us always demands more? The lesson then reveals the surprising connection to the mocking eye of verse 17. The answer to an insatiable heart is not more of what it craves; it is the contentment found only when our deepest hunger rests in God. Less...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue their study of Proverbs 30:11–14, focusing on verses 13–14 and Agur’s portrait of a corrupt generation. What begins with self-righteousness becomes arrogance, and arrogance eventually becomes the exploitation of those who are weaker. Agur describes lofty eyes followed by “teeth as swords” devouring the poor and needy. The progression is sobering: when people become convinced of their own righteousness, looking down on others becomes easier, and mistreating them can eventually seem justified. This lesson challenges us to examine not merely how we treat others, but how we see ourselves. Lesson 197...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 30:10–12 and the dangerous difference between how we see ourselves and how God sees us. Agur warns against using power against those who cannot defend themselves, dishonoring our parents, and becoming “pure in our own eyes” while remaining unwashed from our sin. Self-deception is especially dangerous because the person who needs cleansing may be convinced he is already clean. This lesson challenges us to stop measuring ourselves by our own standards and allow God’s Word to expose what we may be unable, or unwilling, to see. Lesson 196-2026 Te...

Rick Wiles and Dr. Raymond Burkhart continue the Scarlet Thread Faith series with a man whose disqualification was not his background but his clock. Matthew and Mark record that both thieves reviled Christ — he arrived hostile, joined the abuse, and was converted while dying. He asked only to be remembered and was promised presence, in paradeisō, the Septuagint's word for Eden. One thief was saved that none should despair — only one, that none should presume. Lesson 195-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by visiting MannaNation.com, calling 1-888-519-4935, or by mail at PO Bo...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine the remarkable prayer of Proverbs 30:7–9. Agur asks God for neither poverty nor riches, but for the portion God determines is sufficient. His concern is not financial comfort; it is spiritual faithfulness. He fears abundance could cause him to forget God, while poverty could tempt him to steal and dishonor God’s name. Even more importantly, Agur first prays, “Remove far from me vanity and lies.” This lesson challenges us to consider whether we truly want more or whether we can trust God to decide what is enough. Lesson 194-2026 Te...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 30:5–6 and one of Scripture’s strongest declarations about the reliability of God’s Word. “Every word of God is pure.” His Word has been tested like precious metal in the fire and found without impurity. Because God has spoken, we can trust Him completely and take refuge under His protection. Agur then gives a serious warning: “Add thou not unto his words.” When we add human traditions, doctrines, or opinions and attribute them to God, we are no longer explaining His Word; we risk misrepresenting the One who spoke it...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue Agur’s remarkable words in Proverbs 30:3–4. Agur asks questions no ordinary man can answer: Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who controls the wind, the waters, and the earth? Then comes the remarkable question: “What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?” The Old Testament leaves the question standing, while the New Testament brings it into focus. This lesson explores the limits of human wisdom, our dependence upon divine revelation, and an ancient question that points forward toward Christ. Lesson 192-2026 Teachers...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin Proverbs 30 and meet a new voice in the book: Agur, the son of Jakeh. Unlike Solomon, Agur begins his teaching with a startling confession: “Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.” This is not false modesty. Agur has encountered the limits of human understanding and recognizes how little man can know apart from God’s revelation. His humility stands in sharp contrast to the person Proverbs describes as “wise in his own conceit.” The deeper our knowledge of God becomes, t...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart conclude Proverbs 29 and the five-chapter collection preserved by the men of Hezekiah. Proverbs 29:27 ends with a sobering truth: “An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.” Biblical wisdom does not promise that living rightly will make us universally accepted. Sometimes the very presence of an upright life exposes compromises others would rather leave unchallenged. Yet Solomon is not giving believers permission to become combative or unpleasant. Scripture commands us to love our enemies and, as much...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 29:24–26 and the powerful grip the fear of man can have on our decisions. Solomon begins with a man who knows the truth but refuses to speak, then reveals what may be keeping him silent: “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” Fear of rejection, retaliation, or disapproval can trap our speech, compromise our obedience, and steal our peace. Yet Solomon provides the way out: “whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” The lesson concludes by asking whose judgment ultimately matters. Many seek the approval of people...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 29:21–23 and three patterns whose consequences often appear long after they begin: indulgence, anger, and pride. Solomon warns that sustained indulgence can produce entitlement rather than gratitude, while uncontrolled anger not only stirs up conflict but opens the door to further sin. The Septuagint adds a vivid picture: fury “digs up sin,” resurrecting old grievances that should have remained buried. Beneath much of that anger lies an even deeper problem: pride. Solomon declares, “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” This lesso...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 29:18–20, beginning with one of the Bible’s most frequently misunderstood verses: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Solomon was not teaching the importance of mission statements, strategic plans, or ambitious dreams. The “vision” is God’s revealed Word, and when that Word is absent or rejected, people cast off restraint. The lesson then turns to the difference between understanding and obedience, and Solomon’s startling warning that there is “more hope for a fool” than for someone hasty with his words. Together, these verses confront three spiritual dang...

In this edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 29:15–17 and the Bible’s teaching on correction, discipline, and the formation of wisdom. Solomon declares that “the rod and reproof give wisdom,” reminding parents that biblical discipline must combine consequences with instruction. Correction without explanation becomes punishment; words without consequences can become empty warnings. The lesson also expands the principle beyond the home, showing how unchecked wrongdoing eventually affects an entire society. Yet Scripture places important guardrails around discipline: correction must serve the child’s good, never the parent’s anger or desire for control. Ultimately, Solomon offers paren...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin a new three-week series, Scarlet Thread Faith: The Faith of Unlikely People. The series opens with Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute living in a city marked for destruction. She had no covenant, no Scripture, no prophet, and no personal encounter with the God of Israel. She had only heard what God had done, yet she believed. While everyone in Jericho heard the same reports and trembled, Rahab reached a different conclusion: “the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” Her faith beca...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles continues Proverbs 29 with verses 12 through 14, examining how a ruler’s appetite for falsehood can corrupt an entire administration and eventually shape the culture beneath it. Solomon warns that when a leader repeatedly listens to lies, those around him learn to reward flattery, suppress unwelcome truth, and tell the ruler what he wants to hear. Rick explains how this produces not only corrupt leadership, but a corrupt information system in which truth tellers are pushed aside and deception becomes normal. The lesson then turns to God’s common grace, showing that both the poor and th...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles continues Proverbs 29 with verses 10 and 11, examining why the upright often attract hatred they did not provoke and why wisdom requires restraint in speech. Solomon contrasts the bloodthirsty, who hate the blameless, with the fool who releases everything in his mind without restraint. Rick explains that righteousness itself can provoke hostility because integrity exposes darkness simply by being present. But the lesson also warns believers not to mistake every conflict for persecution or to deliberately provoke others and then claim victimhood. The focus then turns to the discipline of the tongue. A fool immediately re...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles continues Proverbs 29 with verses 3 and 4, showing how quickly something that took years or generations to build can be destroyed. Solomon first contrasts the son who loves wisdom and brings joy to his father with the man who gives himself to sexual immorality and wastes his substance. Rick explains that the loss is greater than money—the prodigal can consume an inheritance built through the labor, sacrifice, and discipline of generations before him. The same principle then moves from the family to the nation. A king establishes a land through justice, but bribery and corr...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles begins Proverbs 29 with a sobering warning about what happens when repeated correction is continually refused. Solomon describes the person who is “often reproved” yet hardens his neck until destruction comes suddenly and without remedy. Like an ox resisting the yoke, the stiff-necked person becomes increasingly unwilling to listen, change, or respond to conviction. Rick examines how this hardening develops gradually, why every rejected reproof makes the next easier to refuse, and how resistance to God can eventually leave a person unable to receive the very correction meant to save them. The lesson then connec...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue the Desperate Faith series with blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10. Sitting beside the road as Jesus passed through Jericho, Bartimaeus had only one way to reach Him: his voice. When the people surrounding Jesus ordered him to be quiet, “he cried the more a great deal.” His desperate faith stopped Christ on the road to Jerusalem and the cross. This lesson examines faith that refuses to be silenced, the danger of allowing others to stand between us and Christ, and the remarkable response of Bartimaeus after receiving his...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart conclude Proverbs 28 with a powerful promise for believers living through difficult times. Solomon acknowledges the reality that “when the wicked rise, men hide themselves,” but he does not leave the righteous in hiding. The wicked also perish, and “the righteous increase.” This lesson explores why prudent withdrawal under genuine threat is not cowardice, why seasons of wicked ascendancy are temporary, and how God repeatedly turns suppression into multiplication. From Israel under Pharaoh to the persecuted church in Acts, Scripture reveals a consistent pattern: what the enemy attempts to suppress, God can cause...

Rick Wiles and Dr. Raymond Burkhart take up two proverbs that look unrelated — one about self-trust, one about generosity — and show that both describe the same failure: a man managing what he is willing to see. Verse 26 calls trusting your own heart folly, not because the heart is worthless but because it is an interested party, being asked to rule on its own desires. Verse 27 locates the failure of generosity not in the closed hand but in the hidden eye, at the quiet arrangement never to see so that no decision is ever required. The lesson presses Paul's refusal of his...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 28:24–25 and two ways self-trust can corrupt our judgment. Solomon confronts the person who does wrong and then rationalizes it by saying, “It is no transgression.” He then exposes the proud heart that continually stirs up strife. This lesson examines how easily we can redefine our own wrongdoing, why pride produces conflict even when we are not deliberately looking for a fight, and how unbelief often hides beneath our need to control circumstances and protect our position. Scripture offers a radically different path: “he that putteth his trust in the LORD s...