#ourCOG Daily Brief [October 12, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 12, 2025.

In the U.S. today, President Trump announced that funds have been identified to ensure U.S. troops will be paid on October 15th despite the ongoing government shutdown. However, this news has done little to quell anxieties among military families, who, like other federal employees, are braced for the wider impact of missed paychecks. The White House budget office also confirmed that mass federal layoffs have commenced in an effort to exert further pressure on Democratic lawmakers. On the international front, a significant hurdle has been cleared in Gaza with a ceasefire and hostage deal, representing a breakthrough in the Trump administration’s peace plan, though much complex work remains for true peace. Meanwhile, in world news, Madagascar’s president has warned of an attempted coup following protests joined by soldiers. Europe is debating whether rising defense budgets will come at the cost of welfare programs, and in Peru, Congress has successfully removed deeply unpopular President Dina Boluarte from office amid a crime wave, marking their ninth attempt since 2022.

Moving to today’s video highlights, we have “When The Shoe Fits The Enemy’s Plan 10/12/25,” alongside “Sunday Service | Sundays at 9:30AM & 11:30AM EST | citylife church,” and “Princeton Church Live Stream 10-12-25.”

From the FaithNews RSS feed, the latest updates include “International Offices Prayer Center Dedicated,” “Upward Sports Celebrates 30 Years of Ministry Impact Through Sports,” “Group Launches AI Assistant for Women’s Health Centers,” and “Cook Casts Inaugural Vision for Lee University.”

Turning to prophecy news, recent discussions from Rapture Ready highlight findings from the 2025 State of Theology Survey, which revealed a concerning lack of biblical knowledge and consistency among supposed Evangelicals, with 54% of U.S. adults believing religion should not influence political decisions. There’s also commentary on the left’s strategy to control debates by manipulating language, seen in phrases like “justice-involved individuals” or “reproductive healthcare.” Additionally, there are reports that Hamas has confirmed the war is over, citing guarantees from the U.S. and mediator countries, following President Trump’s announcement that both Israel and Hamas had signed off on the first phase of the Gaza peace plan, which includes the release of Israeli hostages.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking at October 13th, we find some significant Roman-era events. This was the day Roman Emperor Claudius passed away in 54 AD. He was notably favorable to the Jews, defending them in Alexandria, maintaining friendship with Agrippa, and allowing them religious autonomy. However, his successor, Nero, who ascended the throne on the very same day, would prove far less benevolent. Nero appointed a series of incompetent governors whose misrule ultimately fueled the Great Revolt, and he later tasked Vespasian with crushing that rebellion. Fast forwarding to 1307 in France, October 13th also marks the day King Phillip IV ordered the arrest of hundreds of Knights Templar, ostensibly on heresy charges, though his true aim was reportedly their wealth.