Morning Manna

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...

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 fr...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 K...

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," de...

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...

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, vulnerabl...

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 Gosp...

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 o...

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...

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...

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 som...

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,...

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 measur...

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...

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 gr...

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 on...

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...

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 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...

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....

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 b...