#ourCOG Daily Brief [October 5, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 5, 2025.

In today’s top stories, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to tackle cases determining the constitutionality of President Trump’s expansive view of presidential power, after granting him early wins on key issues. Meanwhile, federal workers face heightened stress during the current government shutdown, coming after months of upheaval and layoffs, with uncertainty looming over its resolution. This shutdown significantly impacts rural America, where debates over Medicaid funding are leaving hospitals in communities like Spruce Pine, North Carolina, struggling to cover costs. In military news, high-ranking women are determined to preserve their career gains, battling Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s policies that they fear are erasing their advancements. Additionally, President Trump’s ideas for Gaza are drawing comparisons to the complex Northern Ireland peace process, suggesting similar challenges ahead. Globally, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has elected conservative hardliner Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, a move aligned with Shinzo Abe’s nationalism that could strain ties with China and South Korea, and impact gender equality efforts. In the Middle East, Israeli bombing in Gaza City has “significantly subsided,” with Israel’s army preparing for the first phase of a U.S.-backed peace plan championed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas, responding to President Trump’s ultimatum, has indicated willingness to release hostages and hand power to other Palestinians, though other aspects of the peace plan, including disarmament, require further consultation.

For your weekend viewing, keep an eye out for “Student takeover Sunday 10/5/2025 “Maranatha” featuring Associate Pastor Dr. David Lamb, a “Prayer And Worship Night @freechapel” at 5pm EST, and “Sunday Service” at citylife church, with services at 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM EST.

In FaithNews, we hear that an International Offices Prayer Center has been dedicated, Upward Sports is celebrating 30 years of ministry impact through sports, a new group has launched an AI Assistant specifically for Women’s Health Centers, and Cook has cast his inaugural vision for Lee University.

Turning to prophecy news, recent developments include a Virginia Democrat AG nominee reportedly fantasizing about killing a Republican and wishing death on children in disturbing text messages. On the international front, Hamas has reportedly agreed to release all Israeli hostages under President Trump’s Gaza plan, seeking negotiations on other terms. Domestically, ongoing fights over abortion and transgender procedures are emerging as subtexts to the current government shutdown, while reports also suggest Generation Z is stirring up rebellion across various borders. Political tensions were also highlighted recently when President Trump reportedly taunted Democrats with “Trump 2028” hats during failed government shutdown negotiations, posting photos on Truth Social.

Finally, in Jewish history, we remember October 6th. In 877, Charles the Bald, King of France, passed away. Despite what others may have thought, he is seen positively in Jewish history for resisting anti-Semitic edicts from the Archbishop of Lyon, driven by political and economic motives rather than religious ones. Later, in 1014, Samuil of Bulgaria, Emperor of the First Bulgarian Empire, died in battle. He notably provided refuge to Jews fleeing persecution from the Byzantine Empire, and the names of his dynasty’s leaders, such as Samuel, Moses, and David, could even suggest a partial Jewish origin, most likely maternal.