#ourCOG Daily Brief [November 17, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for November 17, 2025.

Today in the U.S., federal workers are back on the job after the government shutdown, facing significant backlogs and the looming possibility of another closure. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to reshape immigration courts, aiming to accelerate removal proceedings and increase detentions. The extensive 43-day shutdown is proving difficult to undo, with officials working to fully restart federal operations which is not expected to be fast or easy. On a historical note, scholars across the country, particularly at Howard University, are tirelessly working to preserve the brittle pages of Black newspapers, unearthing invaluable treasures like Frederick Douglass’s *The North Star*. In more contentious news, emails from the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein referencing President Trump have been made public, though the White House dismisses them as a “selectively leaked” attempt to craft a “false narrative.” Internationally, Japan and China are embroiled in a heated dispute over Taiwan’s status, while in Gaza, a dedicated music teacher uses melodies to help his students both forget and memorialize the ongoing conflict. Finally, the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in the Caribbean, near Venezuela, has sparked questions about a potential military buildup in the region.

Shifting to our video content, we’ve had some thought-provoking discussions recently, including a look at “Strategic Name Calling,” a compelling message from Perry Stone titled “PROOF! The End of the Age IS COMING!”, and a short on “Gratitude’s Power According to Psalms” with Jonathan Vorce.

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we’re following developments such as Robeck’s upcoming Azusa Lecture on Evangelism at the Azusa Street Mission, “Decision Point” confronting America’s cultural lies, details on the “Our Faith, Our Family, Our Freedom” Conference in Atlanta set for November 6-8, 2025, and the Ministry to Israel’s ‘Lone Soldier Program’ looking to welcome one of the hostages.

In prophecy news, the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, along with its accompanying armada, has arrived in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela, an order issued by President Donald Trump. Elsewhere, there’s a notable global trend of people searching for spiritual truth, though the question arises as to *which* God they are ultimately finding. Adding to international tensions, Iran is suspected of seizing an oil tanker from international waters. Domestically, a conservative watchdog group has urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to garnish Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s salary to cover her outstanding federal student loans.

Finally, in Jewish history, this day, November 17, marks the birthdate of Titus Flavius Vespasianus in 9 CE, later known as Emperor Vespasian, who ultimately put down the Judean Revolt and destroyed the Second Temple. Additionally, on this day in 284 CE, Diocletian was proclaimed emperor. According to Jewish tradition, Diocletian, who was said to have been a swineherd in his youth, was angered by Jewish people in Tiberias who disrespectfully referred to him by his former occupation, leading to demands for Jewish leaders to answer for their remarks.