#ourCOG Daily Brief [March 13, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for March 13, 2026.

Today’s headlines are dominated by the ongoing situation in Iran. In the U.S., President Trump’s govern-by-instinct style is being tested as he hints at an endgame, while American farmers are feeling the squeeze due to the conflict disrupting fertilizer supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. On the domestic front, America’s housing affordability crisis continues, with a bipartisan Senate bill facing hurdles in the House, and the Epstein scandal is prompting universities to rethink their donor ties. We’re also seeing a near-record number of representatives and senators leaving Congress, which could significantly impact the upcoming midterms. Globally, Asian countries are calling for belt-tightening as crucial oil shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz are closed, highlighting the cost of fossil fuel dependence, and the war in Iran is also putting vital water resources in the Gulf region in jeopardy. Iran, for its part, is refusing to capitulate, pursuing a survival strategy to raise the war’s costs for the U.S. and Israel.

Turning to our recent video updates, we have some inspiring content for you. Catch the “Lee University Lee Singers at International Praise COG 2026,” a powerful message titled “Get Up” from Jentezen Franklin, and an important discussion on “Breaking Family Addiction” with Episode 1327 featuring Perry and Jonathan Stone.

In FaithNews, we’re following several key stories: a “Church Planting Intensive In Session” and another “Church Planting Intensive Set for March 11-13,” an update on the “‘Jesus Wells’ Campaign Focuses on ‘World’s Thirstiest Communities’,” and news that a “Ministry Wins ‘Best Children’s Feature’ at Movieguide® Awards.”

Our latest prophecy news focuses intensely on the Middle East. Israel continues its military actions, with airstrikes hitting central Beirut and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issuing a direct threat to kill Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. This follows a new wave of large-scale strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut just yesterday. Experts are warning that Iran’s new leader is reportedly “obsessed” with end times prophecies, believing himself to be a prophesied figure paving the way for the Mahdi, with supporters thinking he is the ‘Khorasani’ tasked with conquering Jerusalem and Mecca. This comes against the historical backdrop of “Cyrus’s gold,” highlighting how wealthy outsiders funded Jerusalem’s rebirth over 2,500 years ago.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at March 13th, we note significant events: In 624, Islamic forces under Muhammad were victorious at the Battle of Badr, solidifying the Muslim leader’s power and setting the stage for major impacts on civilization and the Jewish people. Then, in 1202, Mieszko III, the Duke of Greater Poland who notably employed Jews in his mint, passed away. And in 1245, as the Mongols swept across Asia, Pope Innocent IV, known for ordering the massive burning of Jewish books including priceless Talmuds, issued a letter asking the Mongols to cease attacking Christian nations.