#ourCOG Daily Brief [May 2, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for May 2, 2026.

Domestically, Americans are bracing for higher student loan payments, adding to existing increases in gas, food, and healthcare costs. Meanwhile, Congress averted a Department of Homeland Security shutdown, and a new children’s show called ‘Wowsabout’ is set to explore our national parks through the adventures of Muppets Ronald and Roxy. On the legal front, immigrants are suing over challenges to naturalization pathways, while in Joliet, Illinois, the 100th anniversary of Route 66 was celebrated with a unique baseball game honoring prison-yard roots. Internationally, the U.S. announced a drawdown of 5,000 troops from Germany in the coming months, while in Mexico, a new U.S. indictment of government officials on drug charges has created a political challenge for President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. Beijing, for its part, is closely watching Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, seeing it as a potential blueprint for action in the Taiwan Strait.

Turning to our video segment, today we have a message from Bishop Jason Garner titled “May 2, 2026, When Heaven Breaks The Silence | Job 38:1–4 (KJV)”. Also featured is Perry Stone with “Born To Prepare A Pre-Apocalyptic Generation | Episode1334”.

In FaithNews today, we heard about hundreds attending the Smoky Mountain Gathering, while the ECFA applauded the House vote on the Clergy Act. The Executive Council has also completed its April Session, and the First Christian Startup School is now open.

Moving to prophecy news, the U.S. Justice Department has launched investigations into 36 Illinois school districts regarding alleged LGBT indoctrination policies. In other national news, President Trump stated his administration will soon release significant information about UFOs. Internationally, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced plans for a large-scale LGBT festival to be held on the Dead Sea coast, an area historically linked to the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. And from earlier in the week, a senior COVID advisor to Anthony Fauci has been charged with conspiracy against the United States related to evading Freedom of Information Act requests.

And finally, in Jewish history for May 3rd, we look back to several pivotal moments. Traditionally, this date marks the fall of the walls of Jericho in 1282 BCE. Later, in 443 BCE, Nehemiah dedicated the newly built walls around Jerusalem. Fast forward to 996, and the papacy of Gregory V began, making him a contemporary of notable Jewish scholars like Hananel Ben Hushiel. A darker chapter unfolded in 1096 when, during the First Crusade, Emico, the Count of Leiningen, attacked the synagogue at Speyers. This event marked a tragic turning point, as what had been sporadic atrocities against Jews in Europe became organized and frequent, leading to the beginning of widespread Jewish martyrdom.