TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:20–22 and three stubborn realities of the human heart: desire that is never satisfied, praise that exposes character, and folly that punishment alone cannot remove. Solomon shows that getting more cannot cure uncontrolled desire, applause can test us more severely than criticism, and external correction can restrain behavior without transforming the heart. Ultimately, these verses point beyond human remedies to the work only God can accomplish—contentment, humility, and the inward transformation of a new heart. Lesson 163-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by vis...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:17–19 and three powerful pictures of how God develops His people through relationships and faithful service. Iron sharpens iron through necessary friction, the carefully tended fig tree rewards patient labor, and another person’s heart can become a mirror revealing our own. This lesson explores why genuine friends must sometimes challenge us, why faithful service is never wasted even when human recognition never comes, and how relationships expose things about our hearts that isolation can hide. God often uses other people to sharpen, reward, and reveal us. Lesson 162-2026 Teache...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:15–16 and Solomon’s sobering picture of a contentious spirit as the relentless dripping of a leaking roof. The danger is not one disagreement, but the accumulation of criticism, bitterness, and conflict that gradually destroys the peace God intended for the home. This lesson explains why hiding relational problems cannot heal them, why Scripture’s warning applies to husbands and wives alike, and how the transforming work of the Holy Spirit can replace contention with love, peace, gentleness, and grace. The answer is not maintaining appearances—it is allowing God to cha...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin a new three-part series, Obedient Faith, with Noah’s extraordinary response to God’s command to build an ark. Noah acted on God’s Word before there was visible evidence, enduring years of labor and ridicule while faithfully doing “according to all that God commanded him.” This lesson examines the faith required to obey when God’s instructions appear unreasonable, the importance of complete rather than partial obedience, and why the long years between God’s warning and His confirmation are never wasted. Noah reminds us that genuine f...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:13–14 and two very different mistakes with the same underlying problem: good intentions operating without wisdom. Solomon warns against reckless financial entanglements and then shows how even a sincere blessing can become a curse when delivered at the wrong time and in the wrong manner. This lesson draws a crucial distinction between generosity and recklessness, sincerity and discernment, reminding believers that biblical wisdom considers more than our motives. Genuine love requires us to consider the consequences of our decisions and how our words and actions will actually affect the peop...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:11–12, where Solomon connects the joy of seeing wisdom formed in the next generation with one of wisdom’s most practical abilities: recognizing danger before it becomes disaster. The prudent person notices warning signs and takes appropriate action, while the simple continue forward and suffer the consequences. This lesson explores why prudence is not fear but trained discernment, how to distinguish avoidable danger from trials that must be faithfully endured, and why biblical warnings should be received as gifts from God. Genuine wisdom does more than understand truth—it teaches...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:9–10 and Solomon’s wisdom concerning the priceless value of faithful friendship. Heartfelt counsel from a true friend can refresh the soul more deeply than life’s finest pleasures, while a nearby friend becomes especially precious when calamity strikes. This lesson explores why genuine counsel must never be confused with flattery, why tested friendships require deliberate care, and how God uses the local church and nearby believers to bear our burdens. Solomon’s message is practical: cultivate faithful relationships before the crisis comes, and become the kind of friend who is clo...

In today’s Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:7–8 and two dangers that can quietly weaken the Christian life: losing our spiritual appetite and wandering from the place God has given us. Solomon teaches that a satisfied soul can despise even honey, while genuine hunger can make bitter things sweet. He then pictures the vulnerability of a bird wandering from its nest. This lesson challenges believers to guard their hunger for God, recognize when comfort has dulled their desire for His Word, and value the relationships, calling, church, and community in which God has established them. Spiritual hung...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart conclude their three-part series, Faith in the Dark Hours, with Jacob's all-night struggle at Peniel in Genesis 32:24–31. Alone, exhausted, and facing his greatest fear, Jacob discovered that the darkest night of his life became the place of his greatest transformation. This lesson reveals why God sometimes wrestles with His people before He blesses them, why true spiritual victory comes through surrender rather than self-reliance, and why Jacob prevailed not by overpowering God, but by refusing to let go. If you are walking through a long night of te...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:5–6, where Solomon contrasts the loving honesty of a faithful friend with the hidden danger of flattering words. Open rebuke, when offered in love, is far more valuable than silent indifference, and the wounds of a trusted friend bring healing that empty praise never can. This lesson explores the biblical purpose of loving correction, the difference between truth that restores and flattery that deceives, and why Jesus Christ, the truest Friend of all, loved us enough to speak the truth that leads to repentance, growth, and life. Lesson 154-2026 Teachers: Ri...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 27:3–4, where Solomon weighs the crushing burden of a fool's wrath against an even greater danger: envy. While anger is loud and easily recognized, envy often works quietly beneath the surface, feeding on another person's blessings, success, and favor. Drawing from Scripture, Rick and Doc show why envy has fueled some of the Bible's darkest acts—from Cain's murder of Abel to the religious leaders' betrayal of Jesus—and why Solomon asks, "Who is able to stand before envy?" This sobering lesson calls believers to examine their own hearts, cultivate genuin...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin their study of Proverbs 27 by examining Solomon's opening call to humility in verses 1–2. These timeless proverbs warn against two subtle forms of pride: presuming upon tomorrow and seeking our own praise today. While Scripture encourages wise planning and diligent labor, it reminds us that every future day rests in God's hands and that genuine honor is something received, not claimed. This lesson explores the biblical doctrine of God's providence, the freedom that comes from entrusting both our plans and our reputation to Him, and why the only boast that will en...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart conclude their verse-by-verse study of Proverbs 26 by examining verses 27–28, where Solomon reveals the unbreakable moral order established by God. The one who digs a pit for another eventually falls into it, and the stone rolled against a neighbor returns upon the one who pushed it. The lesson also exposes the destructive power of the tongue, showing that lying is an act of hatred and flattery is often more dangerous than open criticism because it quietly leads people toward ruin. Above all, this study points to Christ, who overturned the greatest pit ev...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 26:20–22, where Solomon reveals the hidden fuel behind so many broken relationships: gossip, contention, and careless words. Just as a fire dies when no more wood is added, conflict begins to fade when whispers stop and rumors are no longer passed from person to person. This powerful study exposes the destructive work of the talebearer, the contentious person who continually reignites old disputes, and the lasting wounds caused by words that seem harmless when spoken. Discover how God calls His people to become peacemakers by guarding both their tongues and th...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue their study of Proverbs 26 by examining verses 17–19, where Solomon warns against two destructive habits that damage relationships and communities: meddling in conflicts that do not belong to us and disguising hurtful deception as "just a joke." Through the vivid images of grabbing a wild dog by the ears and a madman hurling firebrands and arrows, this lesson reveals the high cost of self-appointed involvement and careless speech. Learn how biblical wisdom calls us to respect boundaries, speak truth with grace, and follow Christ, whose words always healed and whose interventions we...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue their study of Proverbs 26 by examining Solomon's unforgettable portrait of the sluggard in verses 13–16. Why does the lazy man always seem to find a "lion in the street"? How can someone stay busy yet accomplish nothing? And why does laziness often end in self-deception? Through these vivid proverbs, Solomon exposes the progression from excuses, to inactivity, to spiritual paralysis, and finally to a heart convinced it is wiser than those who faithfully do God's work. This practical lesson challenges every believer to confront the imaginary obstacles that keep us from ob...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin a new three-part series, Faith in the Dark Hours, by exploring the remarkable faith of Paul and Silas in the Philippian prison. Beaten, chained, and locked in the darkest cell, they chose to pray and sing praises to God before any sign of deliverance appeared. Their worship became a testimony that transformed everyone listening and prepared the way for one of the most powerful conversions in the Book of Acts. Discover how to develop a faith that worships in the midnight hour, trusts God's unchanging character...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 26:10–12, where Solomon brings his study of the fool to a sobering conclusion. These verses reveal God's sovereign rule over every life, expose the tragic pattern of returning to destructive sin like a dog to its vomit, and issue a startling warning that the person who is wise in his own eyes is in greater spiritual danger than the fool himself. This lesson calls believers to embrace humility, remain teachable, and seek the transforming work of God that changes not only our behavior but the desires of our hearts. Lesson 144-2...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 26:4–5, two verses that appear to contradict one another but together reveal one of Scripture's greatest lessons in discernment. Sometimes wisdom requires refusing to engage a fool; at other times it demands a careful response to prevent folly from misleading others. This study explores how to recognize the difference, why the manner of our response matters as much as the response itself, and how believers can navigate arguments, criticism, and even social media without becoming like the very foolishness they seek to correct. Lesson 143-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Bu...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 26:4–5, two verses that appear to contradict one another but together reveal one of Scripture's greatest lessons in discernment. Sometimes wisdom requires refusing to engage a fool; at other times it demands a careful response to prevent folly from misleading others. This study explores how to recognize the difference, why the manner of our response matters as much as the response itself, and how believers can navigate arguments, criticism, and even social media without becoming like the very foolishness they seek to correct. Lesson 142-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Bu...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin their study of Proverbs 26 by examining three foundational truths about folly. Solomon warns that honoring a fool is as destructive as snow in summer or rain during harvest, teaches that a groundless curse has no power over the righteous, and explains why fools often respond only to consequences rather than reason. Drawing from both the King James Version and the Septuagint, this lesson encourages believers to value wisdom rightly, reject the fear of baseless accusations, and trust that God protects those who walk in righteousness. Lesson 141-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart conclude their series on Borrowed Faith by studying the remarkable faith of the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15:21–28. Faced with silence, apparent rejection, and repeated obstacles, she refused to stop trusting Christ on behalf of her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus ultimately declared, "O woman, great is thy faith," demonstrating that persistent, humble, and Scripture-shaped faith can prevail even in the darkest moments. This lesson offers encouragement to every parent, spouse, and intercessor who continues to pray for a loved one, reminding us that God honors faith that refuses to le...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart conclude their five-week journey through Proverbs 25 with a chapter-wide review of its most important lessons. From the king's court to the home, from our relationships with others to the condition of our own hearts, Solomon teaches that wisdom is living the right way, in the right measure, at the right time. Rick and Doc revisit the chapter's three great themes—measured living, skillful speech and relationships, and the disciplined inner life—showing how every proverb points to the formation of godly character. This summary brings together the practical wisdom of Proverbs 25 and...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart conclude Proverbs 25 by examining two final warnings that summarize the chapter's wisdom. First, Solomon warns against the pursuit of self-glory, reminding us that true honor is received, not sought. He then presents one of Scripture's most memorable images: the person without self-control is like a city broken down and without walls, vulnerable to every attack. This lesson explores why humility and self-governance are essential to Christian maturity, how daily discipline strengthens the inner life, and why the greatest victories are often won not over others, but over ourselves. Lesson 138-2026 Teachers...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 25:25–26, where Solomon contrasts two powerful images: the refreshing joy of good news from a distant land and the tragic consequences of a righteous person compromising before the wicked. Just as cold water revives a weary soul, faithful believers are called to bring hope, encouragement, and the life-giving message of the Gospel to others. At the same time, this passage warns that when those entrusted with truth yield under pressure, they become like a polluted spring, depriving others of the clear water they desperately need. This study challenges every believer to...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 25:23–24, where Solomon addresses two of the greatest threats to peace: the destructive power of gossip and the misery of continual strife. The study explores how righteous disapproval can silence a backbiting tongue, why believers must refuse to participate in slander, and what Scripture teaches about living in an atmosphere of constant contention. Drawing from both the King James Version and the Septuagint, Rick and Doc show that genuine peace requires both the courage to confront sin and the wisdom to recognize when conflict has become spiritually destructive. Lesson 136-2026 Te...

In today's Morning Manna, Doc Burkhart examines Proverbs 25:21–22, one of the most influential passages in the Book of Proverbs and the foundation for Jesus' command to love your enemies and Paul's teaching in Romans 12. Rather than responding to hostility with retaliation, believers are called to meet their enemies' needs with acts of kindness, trusting God with the outcome. This lesson explores the meaning of "heaping coals of fire," the promise of the Lord's reward, and why overcoming evil with good is one of the greatest demonstrations of Christlike character. Lesson 134-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner wi...

In today's Morning Manna, Doc Burkhart examines Proverbs 25:21–22, one of the most influential passages in the Book of Proverbs and the foundation for Jesus' command to love your enemies and Paul's teaching in Romans 12. Rather than responding to hostility with retaliation, believers are called to meet their enemies' needs with acts of kindness, trusting God with the outcome. This lesson explores the meaning of "heaping coals of fire," the promise of the Lord's reward, and why overcoming evil with good is one of the greatest demonstrations of Christlike character. Lesson 134-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner wi...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 25:19–20, where Solomon teaches two essential qualities of biblical love: being trustworthy in times of crisis and offering comfort with wisdom. An unreliable friend wounds like a broken tooth or a slipping foot, while careless attempts to cheer a grieving heart only deepen its pain. This lesson explores what it means to be someone others can depend on, why compassion requires discernment, and how Christ provides the perfect example of both unwavering faithfulness and tender comfort to those who suffer. Lesson 133-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can pa...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 25:17–18, where Solomon teaches two essential principles for preserving healthy relationships. Wisdom knows when to step back so that friendship remains a blessing rather than a burden, and it refuses to use words as weapons against a neighbor. From practicing measured presence to rejecting gossip, slander, and false testimony, this lesson reveals that genuine love is expressed through both respectful boundaries and unwavering commitment to the truth. The words we speak and the space we give can either strengthen our neighbors or deeply wound them. Lesson 132-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles an...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart explore Proverbs 25:15–16, where Solomon reveals two powerful lessons in self-control. A patient spirit and a gentle tongue can accomplish what force and anger never will, while even the sweetest blessings become harmful when pursued without restraint. From patient persuasion to disciplined appetites, this study shows that true wisdom is measured not by power or abundance, but by knowing the right way, the right time, and the right measure. As believers learn to govern both their words and their desires, they increasingly reflect the character of the God who is both longsuffering an...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart continue their three-part series on biblical faith by exploring Wait Faith through Hebrews 11:13. Abraham, Sarah, and Simeon each demonstrate that genuine faith is not measured by how quickly God's promises are fulfilled, but by steadfast confidence in the God who made them. This lesson reveals why waiting is not a sign of failed faith, but often its greatest expression. Discover how God shapes His people in the long seasons between promise and fulfillment, and why the believer's confidence rests not in changing circumstances, but in the unchanging...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 25:13–14, where Solomon contrasts the refreshing faithfulness of a trustworthy messenger with the disappointment of empty promises. A faithful servant brings life, encouragement, and confidence to those who depend on him, while those who boast of gifts they never deliver are compared to clouds that promise rain but leave the ground dry. This lesson explores why faithfulness is one of the highest Christian virtues, the importance of keeping our word, and how God's own perfect faithfulness becomes the model for every believer's life and witness. Lesson 129-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles an...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart explore Proverbs 25:11–12, two of the most beautiful verses in the Book of Proverbs, where Solomon reveals both the power of a well-timed word and the value of a teachable heart. A "word fitly spoken" is compared to apples of gold set in silver—a picture of truth delivered with wisdom, grace, and perfect timing. The passage then turns to the one who receives wise correction, showing that an obedient ear is adorned like precious gold. Together, Rick and Doc examine why timing is as important as truth, how wise correction becomes a bl...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 25:8–10, where Solomon provides one of Scripture's clearest and most practical teachings on conflict resolution. Rather than rushing into public disputes, wisdom calls believers to slow down, think through the consequences, address grievances privately, and guard the confidences entrusted to them. Through the wisdom of Proverbs, the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5 and Matthew 18, and the counsel of James 1:19, Rick and Doc demonstrate that many broken relationships and damaged reputations are the result not of the original disagreement, but of the way the conflict was handled. The lesson also explores th...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 25:6–7, where Solomon reveals a timeless principle that reaches far beyond royal courts into the very heart of God's Kingdom. Rather than seeking prominence or promoting ourselves before those in authority, Scripture teaches that genuine honor is never seized—it is bestowed. Through the wisdom of Solomon, the teaching of Jesus in Luke 14, and the supreme example of Christ's humility in Philippians 2, Rick and Doc demonstrate that the way up in God's economy is first the way down. The lesson explores the danger of self-promotion, the blessing of taking the lowe...

In this Faith Friday edition of Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin a three-part series on faith by examining what they call Threshold Faith—the faith that steps forward before the miracle appears. Drawing from Joshua 3:14–17, they explore Israel's crossing of the Jordan River at flood stage, where God did not part the waters before the priests moved, but only after their feet touched the brim of the overflowing river. This powerful lesson reveals that biblical faith is not passive belief or careful calculation; it is obedient action taken on the authority of God's Word when circumstances make succ...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 25:4–5, where Solomon uses the imagery of silver refining to reveal a timeless principle of personal, spiritual, and governmental integrity. Just as a silversmith must remove the dross before a vessel can be fashioned for honorable use, so corruption must be removed from positions of influence before righteousness can flourish. The lesson explores the deceptive nature of dross, which resembles silver while corrupting it from within, and the parallel danger of ungodly counsel surrounding those entrusted with authority. Drawing from both the King James Version and the Septuagint, Rick and Do...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart begin their study of Proverbs 25 with a remarkable passage that explores the transmission of wisdom, the mystery of divine knowledge, and the responsibility of those entrusted with authority. Proverbs 25:1–3 reveals how the men of Hezekiah faithfully preserved Solomon's wisdom centuries after it was first spoken, demonstrating that truth must be received, guarded, and passed on to future generations. The lesson then turns to one of Scripture's most profound theological statements: “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Togeth...

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine Proverbs 24:32–34, where Solomon moves from observation to reflection and finally to instruction. After carefully considering the neglected field of the slothful, Solomon receives a sobering lesson: great ruin rarely comes through dramatic rebellion but through countless small delays. "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands" becomes the voice of self-justification that gradually produces thorns, broken walls, and eventual poverty. Rick and Doc explore how wisdom is gained by observing life's lessons with a teachable heart, why the seemingly insignificant "littles" are often the most dangerous ch...