#ourCOG Daily Brief [January 15, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for January 15, 2026.

In U.S. news today, debates continue on whether the U.S. needs to own Greenland for national security, with historical precedent suggesting collaboration with Denmark has been sufficient. Opponents of ICE operations are facing increased scrutiny and the label of ‘extremist,’ raising questions about the line between protected free speech and civil disobedience, particularly as state-federal fissures widen in places like Minnesota. The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on whether states can legally bar transgender women athletes from competing in school sports. Meanwhile, the Smithsonian Institution is under pressure from the White House to comply with demands regarding “improper ideology.” Internationally, AI chatbot Grok’s generation of provocative “deepfake” images has highlighted divergent views on online regulation between Europe and the U.S. In the Middle East, a new apolitical Palestinian governing committee has met in Cairo, marking a fragile step forward for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, though it’s met with a mix of skepticism and hope in Gaza. And in Iran, historic and increasingly deadly protests are drawing striking parallels to the 1979 fall of the Shah.

Our video lineup today includes a Chapel message from Wes Lutes, a look at The Importance of Fasting with Jentezen Franklin, and a preview of Sacred Seasons 2026. We also have a special on 21 days of Fasting & Prayer, rounded out by our Daily Devotional for Day 15.

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we’re tracking the launch of the General Assembly Website, GA26.org, the acquisition of InChrist Communications by Infinity Concepts, and the impressive milestone of Prison Fellowship International graduating its one millionth prisoner. Also, Smith was recently honored with the Spirit of Azusa Award.

Turning to prophecy news, Justice Samuel Alito’s questioning of an ACLU attorney over the definition of ‘man’ or ‘woman’ in a discrimination case has highlighted concerns about the nation’s collective understanding of basic terms. Elsewhere, Bill and Hillary Clinton have reportedly refused subpoenas to testify in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Geopolitically, there’s a sense that the world has suddenly changed, with global rules and expectations seemingly altered overnight. And amidst growing protests in Iran, Israel is closely monitoring the situation, with Prime Minister Netanyahu expressing awe at the bravery of Iranians as the IDF prepares for potential fallout.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back to January 16th: In 27 BCE, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus was granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire. Interestingly, ten years prior, Augustus had appointed Herod as King of Judea, famously saying he’d “rather be a pig in Herod’s house than one of his family.” Fast forward to 550 CE, during the Gothic War, the Ostrogoths, led by King Totila, conquered Rome after a long siege, by bribing the Isaurian garrison. This provides a glimpse into the ongoing clash between different civilizations and powers throughout history.

That’s your daily brief for January 15, 2026. Goodnight.