#ourCOG Daily Brief [October 3, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 3, 2025.

In today’s top stories, a government shutdown looms large in the U.S., with Washington’s wrangling over Medicaid deeply affecting rural communities like Spruce Pine, North Carolina, where hospitals are struggling. This shutdown is further complicated by President Trump’s threat of mass layoffs, raising questions about his authority. Meanwhile, high-ranking women in the military are battling Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, determined to protect their right to serve as they see their career gains being challenged. On the international front, President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza is drawing comparisons to the Northern Ireland peace process, as he urges Israel to halt bombing and states Hamas is ready for peace, despite Hamas not agreeing to disarm. We’re also tracking President Trump’s expansive use of the National Guard, with Portland, Oregon, being the latest city to see troops activated for crime and illegal immigration efforts. Globally, a wave of Gen Z protests, using social media, has already toppled two governments from Nepal to Madagascar, now spreading to Morocco and putting pressure on leaders worldwide. And in northern Nigeria, the ancient tradition of women making the smoky gabgab perfume is fighting for survival under the shadow of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Turning to our video segment, today’s highlights include “The Invisible Power of Fasting During the Fall Seasons | Episode 1304 | Perry Stone,” followed by “The Ebenezer Principle | Jentezen Franklin,” and a preview of “This Week On Jentezen Franklin TV #prayer.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we’re covering the “International Offices Prayer Center Dedicated,” “Upward Sports Celebrates 30 Years of Ministry Impact Through Sports,” a “Group Launches AI Assistant for Women’s Health Centers,” and “Cook Casts Inaugural Vision for Lee University.”

In prophecy news, the ongoing federal government shutdown is being viewed through a specific lens, with underlying conflicts over taxpayer support for abortion and transgender medical procedures being highlighted. We’re also seeing reports of Generation Z stirring up rebellion across borders, from Morocco to Madagascar, in what is described as a significant generational shift. Politically, President Trump has been observed taunting Democratic leaders with “Trump 2028” hats during failed shutdown negotiations, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all parties to commit to Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan. Furthermore, analysis suggests Trump’s redistricting gambit could defy history and potentially save the House.

Finally, in Jewish history, we look back to October 4th, 610. On this day, Heraclius attacked Constantinople, ultimately overthrowing the Byzantine Emperor. Years later, in 614, the advancing Persian Army under General Roizanes seized Jerusalem and, notably, entrusted its governance to the Jewish people. This allowed the 150,000 Jews of Palestine to experience a brief, yet significant, taste of self-government. Although Roizanes would change his mind three years later, this period was followed by a historical irony: Heraclius, the same emperor, allied with the Khazars—a people who would later convert to Judaism—to defeat the Persians. This victory, however, brought Byzantine rule back to Jerusalem, with its often negative consequences for the Jewish population. We also note that on October 4th, 1209, Otto IV was crowned emperor.

That concludes our #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 3, 2025. Thank you for joining us.