#ourCOG Daily Brief [January 5, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for January 5, 2026.

In today’s top stories, the U.S. has seen dramatic developments surrounding the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration asserts it has seized Maduro to face U.S. charges, including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy, and declared the U.S. will now “run” Venezuela. This bold move, which recalls the 1904 Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, has sparked widespread legal debate regarding the authority for such an attack and raises significant geopolitical questions for the Western Hemisphere. Meanwhile, in New York, the city welcomes its first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, reflecting a shift in a community that faced intense surveillance after 9/11. On the world stage, Russia is actively pursuing economic and military opportunities in the thawing Arctic, seeking international partners to aid its expansion. The U.S. action in Venezuela is also seen as a warning to other world leaders. In the Middle East, despite vulnerabilities from a recent war, Israel and Iran continue their bellicose rhetoric, a strategy some analysts suggest serves to deflect domestic dissent.

Turning to our video lineup, you can catch “Expect Change,” a segment from Perry Stone titled “This Infirm Spirit TORMENTED An Infant,” “Sacred Seasons 2026,” and our “21 days of Fasting & Prayer Daily Devotional (Day 5).”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we’ve received updates including an announcement that Smith has been honored with the Spirit of Azusa Award, news that more Americans are embracing ‘Animal Gifting’ this Christmas, a foundation’s partnership to support military families in need, and the release of the 75th Anniversary Edition “Red Back Hymnal” by Church of God Publications.

In prophecy news, the U.S. attacks on Venezuela are being closely watched for their potential impact on terror organizations in the Middle East. For Israelis, the American strikes in Caracas are seen as a possible blow to Hezbollah and the IRGC, whose operations are reportedly financed through South American drug trafficking, disrupting a key financial and logistical hub for Iranian-backed groups. This follows reports from January 4th of President Trump sharing a photo of the captured Maduro aboard a U.S. warship, and earlier on January 3rd, Trump confirmed a “large scale strike” that led to Maduro and his wife being “captured and flown out of the Country.” Separately, state media reported on January 2nd that six people have been killed in connection with ongoing protests in Iran.

And finally, looking back at Jewish history for January 6th: In 548, the Church in Jerusalem last observed the birth of Jesus on this date, predating the later December 25th celebration in the Western Church. Jump forward to 1300, and following the conquest of Damascus by Mahmud Ghazan’s forces, Jews were unfortunately forced back into the role of “dhimmis,” or official second-class citizens. We also remember 1275, when Raymond of Penyafort, a Spanish Dominican Friar, convinced King James to order a public debate between Rabbi Moshe ben Nahman and Paulus Christiani, a baptized Jew, with the intention of proving Christianity’s superiority and encouraging conversion. And in 1286, this day marked a significant coronation.