#ourCOG Daily Brief [January 8, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for January 8, 2026.

Domestically today, a rare Senate rebuke of the Trump administration emerged over Venezuela war powers, a largely symbolic measure that nonetheless signals potential new pushback from the GOP-controlled legislative branch. The White House also faced scrutiny for launching federal penalties based on an unverified influencer’s report alleging fraud in Minnesota. Meanwhile, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis driver, sparking outcry and prompting the city’s mayor to call the incident reckless. Across the nation, experts are observing a troubling rise in firearm fatalities, accompanying the two-decade expansion of stand-your-ground laws. President Trump’s intervention in Venezuela carries significant political risk at home, potentially testing his core “No forever wars” and “America First” promises. Internationally, while many Venezuelans initially hoped for change, post-U.S. strike, there’s growing concern that it might be “more of the same.” Questions also arise regarding the extent to which President Trump can push his “might makes right” approach on the global stage. On a humanitarian note, rural homelessness is on the rise, with small-town volunteers rallying to provide essential support like food and coats.

Turning to our video segment, today we feature “How Ministry Families Survive (and Thrive) | Between Sundays Podcast E16,” alongside an encouraging message titled “Hold on to the promise!” and a brief look at “What Makes a Good Marriage?” with insights into relationships.

In FaithNews, we hear about Smith being honored with the Spirit of Azusa Award, the growing trend of more Americans embracing ‘Animal Gifting’ this Christmas, a foundation announcing a partnership to support military families in need, and Church of God Publications releasing a special 75th Anniversary Edition of the “Red Back Hymnal.”

In the latest prophecy news, President Trump is reportedly set to launch the Gaza Board of Peace next week, a 15-nation body he will chair, tasked with overseeing a new Palestinian technocratic government and the reconstruction of Gaza. Yesterday, Ukraine’s key European allies signed security guarantees, including the potential deployment of a multinational military force, contingent on a peace deal with Russia, aiming to dissuade further aggressions. Earlier in the week, Democrats reacted sharply to Trump’s daring raid in Venezuela that captured Nicolas Maduro, an event also seen as a potential blow to terror organizations like Hezbollah and IRGC, whose operations are partly financed through South American drug trafficking.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back to January 9th, we find significant decrees impacting Jewish communities in Iberia. In 638, the Sixth Council of Toledo led King Chintilla to mandate that only Catholics could reside in Visigothic Spain. Just a few decades later in 681, King Erwig convened the 12th Council of Toledo, enacting further measures detrimental to Jews in the region. Moving to 1144, Pope Celestine II ordered clergy to support the Knights Templar, who, despite not being overtly antisemitic for their time, maintained a complex relationship with Jewish communities, often serving as landlords, fellow money lenders, and even tax collectors for Jewish populations.