Technology for Kids

My son is 9 and in a few months' time, he will be 10. He knows very little about using an iPad and digital technology. My wife has asked if we should let him learn some coding/digital technology since almost every kid is exposed to it.

I shared my heart and the reason why we are homeschooling him. Because we do not plan to go with the flow. We have often been going against the tide, not that we purposely want to do so, but I guess God has given that assignment to us to will and to do according to His good pleasure.

Just last week, my niece-in-law said, "Uncle Wilson, you are living life on the edge." Though she was referring to something else, it was a good reminder of a quote that I learnt in YWAM which I haven't forgotten. It says, "If you are not living on the edge, you are just taking up space."

The nation that we have grown up with has provided us with so much comfort, that we have edged the Holy Spirit out. Is He really our True Comforter? He is most 'manifested' when we step into uncomfortable situations.

Recently, I passed my son an old iPad for him to do his Koobits. He was extremely delighted. But he didn't know how to use it. He didn't know how to download a photo and use it as wallpaper. Call me crazy, but I actually take delight in that ignorance. For I know his potential, and I know the strength of this new generation of kids. It's way easier for them to learn technology than to unlearn it.

While the iPad is given to him, there are restrictions. 

- No game is allowed to be downloaded 

- No social media is permitted. He can watch Youtube when one parent is present with him.

- He can only use the iPad with permission for the purpose of researching for information

- With the increase of his self-control and focus comes the increase of the usage of iPad

Why do we (as parents) make ourselves so miserable when we could have just thrown him the tablet and set ourselves free? Because responsibility comes with a price to pay.

One of my friends asked me, "How long are you going to protect him?"

I replied, "Until he is ready."

He responded, "How do you know when he is ready?"

I said, "I won't know until he is ready."

We often want tangible measures as Singaporeans. But there are alot of things that cannot be measured, especially when it comes to personality and character. I trust the Holy Spirit to guide us as we lean on Him, the true Father.

We love that our son is truly engaged socially with people of all ages when he meets them. A child who is so engaged with technology (at early age) will be disengaged when it comes to real-life conversations. I encountered so many of them. And this is one of the reasons why we make the tough decision to do what we do. #homeschooling

Joy Is The Fulfilled Answer

Joy Is The Fulfilled Answer

For the believers, three things are unshakable: righteousness, peace and joy are not based on circumstances (Rom 14:17), since they are in the realm of the Spirit within us (Luke 17:21).

Peace is the result of an answered prayer, but through faith (thanksgiving), you get the result (peace) before the prayer is answered (Phil 4:6-7). If you have peace, you know that you have the answered prayer.

As long as we asked according to His will, we will have the answered prayer (1 John 5:14-15). Since the result is certain, peace is unshakable despite your circumstances.

To have unshakable peace, it is found in His presence.

You keep him in 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. - Isa 26:3

The Bible contains a string of truths. They are often interconnected. For the Scriptures cannot be broken.

Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. - Jn 16:24

Fulfilled answer brings joy. Yet in His presence, there is fullness of joy (John 14:22; Ps 16:11). Do we receive joy when our answer is fulfilled OR do we receive joy despite of circumstances? The answer is Yes.

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐒 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 of everything we are asking for. His presence is the certainty of answered prayers and fulfilled answers.

His presence is "𝐈 𝐀𝐌" with you. ' "𝐈 𝐀𝐌" your ever-present help in times of need (Ps 46:1).' In other words, 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, which are the results of answered prayers and fulfilled answers.

When you receive an answer for your prayer, you receive peace.

When you receive the fulfillment of that answer, you receive joy.

But the GOOD Father does not want your peace and joy to be shaken by the immediate circumstances, so He grants you peace and joy BEFORE Him.

For he who comes to Me must believe that "𝐈 𝐀𝐌"... - Heb 11:6 (pronoun changed for clarity).

The moment when you and I acknowledge His presence, peace and joy are guaranteed in any circumstance.

Financial Retirement

Sometimes we live in our culture for so long that we have confused the Kingdom culture with the worldly culture, and we put our own interpretation into the Word.

In the first world, our confusion is to mix worldly financial wisdom with kingdom financial stewardship. The Bible has never taught on financial retirement the way we are taught by the world. Jesus never mentioned it once. To draw a retirement principle from the book of Proverbs is to put in our own opinion that is rooted in the culture that we live in.

Remember: If your gospel cannot be applied in other countries, like rural areas or developing nations, then it is not the gospel.

As citizens of heaven, our financial "retirement" principle is this:

My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. - Phil 4:19

Read also Matthew 6:19-33 and Luke 12:13-34.

"Retirement is not a biblical concept. It is a cultural concept." - Tim Slothower, financial advisor.

P.S: The Levites in Numbers 8 did not retire. They simply had their responsibilities changed to serve elsewhere. It is not a principle for financial retirement anyway.

P.P.S: The book of Proverbs does teach about the wise storing up treasures (Prov 21:20). But since Proverbs is the book of Wisdom, 'treasures' mentioned in the book is often referring to spiritual wisdom (Prov 1:7; 2:1-7; 16:16; Col 2:3; 1 Cor 1:30). Yes, it might be interpreted as storing up money but you will have to deal with Jesus' words.

P.P.S: Jesus taught us not to store up treasures on earth but in heaven. It is not a contradiction since the Word is extremely consistent. He ended with 'where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' In other words, while there is nothing wrong for you to save up for the future, your idea of financial retirement is not His idea. 'Financial retirement' is not meant for you to enjoy the rest of your life as what the world teaches us. It is meant to be used for others so that you are storing up treasures in heaven (1 Tim 6:17-19). 

In other words, when you store up finances, you are storing up treasures on earth. When you use them for others, you are storing up treasures in heaven.

The heart matters because it's a matter of the heart.

Family Exploits

Excerpt from The Secret To Fathering

(Fathering Your Child & The Next Generation)

"We need more men to share on family exploits (parenting/fathering) instead of ministry exploits. The latter boosts men's 'achievement-oriented' ego, while the former is where the Kingdom flows.

The Kingdom begins with the family unit.

We have enough testimonies and examples of ministry work. The fact that men hardly talk about family exploits (parenting/fathering) proves that we tend not to focus on what we cannot achieve. We rather focus on public recognition and external affirmations instead of identity that comes from within (the family). This started from Adam and it is still part of the old man.

What we focus on will affect the culture around us. If we want to see a healthy family culture and the destruction of the enemy's agenda towards children and marriage, it begins from us ------ men in the family.

If you can't stop boasting but want to boast in some testimonies, it's time to talk about your family and fathering. If there is nothing to share, it is an encouragement for you to start spending time with your family and fathering your children, instead of giving your energy only in the public in order to get recognition and boost your ego.

Ministry work is no difference from secular work if the motivation is for achievement and recognition. It's a very thin line where nobody can see the difference by sight, but it can be perceived in the Spirit because God sees our heart.

Jesus was marred beyond human recognition on the Cross so that you and I can have His everlasting recognition.

Let's affect the culture around us by beginning with our own family culture."

Husbands

Husbands

God has His own set of ordinances. Exousia is His ordinance. The governing authority is His ordinance. We must remember that it is referred to the position of exousia, NOT the person/leader of exousia. While God ordained the system of governance, the leaders were not always chosen by Him. Do not be confused between the two, or it becomes an opened door for abuse and manipulation.

Similarly, God has ordained the position of a husband as the head of the wife. There is something very powerful as the head of the household. It is a privilege to be the head as a husband.

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior. - Eph 5:23

A husband is the priest, the prophet and the pastor in his own family. When a husband refuses to step up his role as the head of the household, that is when the whole family unit turns upside down.

This is why I believe strongly that the man must be spiritually and practically leading the household. If the wife is stronger in the beginning, that's fine, but the man must grow faster in order to lead. Otherwise, there is a good chance for chaos, resentment and strife.

I don't have it perfect. I am still growing. But I have come to realise that every word and action that I say & do has an impact on my wife and son. It happens much more in the sub-conscious realm, instead of the conscious realm.

For example, my wife might initially disagree with my way of fathering and other stuff, etc. We might have disagreements because of these. Yet eventually, she would subconsciously pick up and follow suit, as long as I remain consistent without wavering and without compromising.

I realise more and more in recent years, because our time as a family (due to homeschooling and SAH wife) is probably much more than average families. This is when it dawns on me that my role as the head of the household is of significant importance.

If we husbands are not continually growing and leading, we would still be making an impact on the whole family ----- in a negative way. On the other hand, if we want to make a positive impact, we have to watch our words and our actions. We have to frame our thoughts and be intentional, exercising our privilege as the priest, prophet and pastor of our home.

Working hard and earning alot of money to provide for the family is a twisted earthly perspective and a wrong excuse, if every other area is neglected. It is not the heart of the heavenly Father. It happened in our father's generation. It is happening now in our generation. It is likely to continue in the next generation. This is a refusal to take up the role of God-ordained leadership at home.

And it's time to be awakened.

Seeking His Kingdom

Seeking His Kingdom

Last evening, my wife shared that she read the news about a guy who gifted a GCB to his wife at close to $200 million dollars for her birthday. She said that's crazy. Immediately, I joked with my wife, saying, "Can I go to China and work? So that I can become millionaire before I come back."

My wife replied, "You know you must be joking. That's absolutely impossible because it's not in your heart. Besides, God does not want you to focus on money. Because that's not God."

I affirmed what she said and replied, "Do not store up treasures on earth, but in heaven."

I'm so thankful to have such a wife of wisdom and grace. I cannot imagine if I have a wife who seeks money and riches. I cannot imagine if I have a wife who only wants comfort in this world. I cannot imagine if I have a wife who is materialistic and keeps desiring more and more of what the world can provide.

Recently, a friend and I spoke about Christian's pursuit of wealth. He asked, "Is it wrong to have more money so that we can bless more people?"

I answered, "It's a very thin line to go there. Many people started with good motive of wanting to have more money in order to bless others. But in the midst of pursuing that, they lose themselves. Because money is a powerful force. Jesus said, 'You cannot serve both God and mammon.'

Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The equation starts with seeking His Kingdom, not seeking money first. 

When we get the equation upside down thinking that we can use money for the Kingdom, we WILL lose ourselves and move away from the Kingdom unknowingly. And I have seen a big handful of believers like this. Their lips do not match their actions.

The priority must remain the priority. Otherwise, no matter how good your intention is, it remains an intention without a life lived.

Whose Voice Is It?

This morning, when J was doing his devotion, he heard god saying, "Sometimes, your prayer is not answered because of your behaviour."

When he told me about it, I replied, "This is not God. It's the enemy speaking like God. This is why I need you to continue reading and writing Bible verses. Because if you do not know the Word, any voice speaking to you will sound like God."

God does not answer you based on your performance. He answers you because of grace through faith. If He does the former, you deserve hell.

Hearing His Voice

Hearing His Voice

Many people mistake hearing the voice of God as intimacy. This is why they think that men and women of God (aka prophets) are intimate with the Lord.

Well, Jesus said "My sheep hear My voice." (John 10:27). If you are a believer, you hear His voice. It doesn't represent intimacy. It simply means there is a relationship.

You can hear the voice of your spouse regularly. It represents relationship, but it doesn't mean that both of you have intimacy. We need to be clear what intimacy really represents.

This is why some can hear the voice of God so accurately but they don't become like Him. They don't grow in character. Yet they are 'anointed' (in the term that we are used to) in the prophetic realm. Because you can train yourself to hear Him so accurately without intimacy just as you can train yourself to recognise the voice of a human without intimacy.

The Old Testament prophets and the disciples of Christ (before His resurrection) could hear His voice so accurately but they were not intimate with Him.

Intimacy requires surrendering. If we don't learn to surrender every aspect of our lives to Him, we can continue to hear Him accurately; we can continue to recognise His voice accurately; we can continue to prophesy on others accurately, but we will NOT grow in intimacy.

Intimacy with Him comes by surrendering and giving that area to Him. Only yielding can result in Christ-likeness, in becoming like Him in that area.

The proof of intimacy is not hearing His voice. The proof of intimacy is becoming Love (John 15:8).

Don't mistake hearing His voice with intimacy. Instead, hear His voice and start surrendering whichever area He tells you to, so that we can become like Him in nature and character..

Disappointment

My son encountered setback today where he cried as a result of disappointment.

He was looking forward to winning a medal in sports carnival. Unfortunately, he was placed in a team where his team members were all weak in the sports. He tried his best, with full determination and effort. He also prayed that his team would win at least an award. But it didn't come to pass.

The whole encounter was made worse when he saw that his friend who was extremely weak in that sports received the gold award because she was placed in a team full of strong members.

This is a teachable moment that life is never fair but God is still good. Hard work does not always get rewarded because we live in a fallen world.

We acknowledged his disappointment. We allowed him to cry. And we had to process with him --- both disappointment with God and disappointment with the result.

I personally think that it is a good experience for him to realise that your prayer does not always get answered the way you want it to, and how people are involved in effecting the outcome apart from prayer.

I would rather that he experiences disappointment with God right early in his life (and have us processed with him), than for him to experience it late in life and turn away from God.

There are many learning points for him today, for which we are grateful.

Before he slept, I said to him, "I am so proud of you J, for who you are. And also you have tried your best today. That's more important than any award."

The reality of life is this... Those with awards are not necessary the good ones with diligence and hard work. To look at pure awards will be superficial in this world. But we have a God who looks at the heart and who will eventually bring every work into judgment and light.

Grateful But Not Complacent

The fundamental human rights that we took for granted in the past.

Grateful. But not complacent. Because we have learnt to be contented in various circumstances.

And we are ready to war the next level as a family when it comes.

Fairness

Generally, the school teaches about fairness.

But in the Koh’s family, we teach our son that there is no fairness in real life.

“Life is not fair, but God is good.” - This is our favourite motto whenever our son says, “This is not fair.”

We need to equip our kids with life skills, not academic brain.

#homeschooling

Increase God’s Fear

This afternoon, I wanted to try the new gummy that J bought with his pocket money. So I requested for one. He took one out of the small packet and handed me. At the same time, he helped himself to one.

Immediately, the number 3 suddenly flashed across the back of my mind’s eyes. So I said to him, “You are eating the third one. When did you secretly eat others?”

He gave the guilty look and confessed. He added, “How come you know?”

I replied, “You forgot that God knows?” He replied, “Oh yah.”

Looks like the fear of the Lord must increase and be reminded in his life. 

Since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, His fear isn’t meant for punishment, but for living a life of wisdom (which is on the same side of Love).

The Confidence In The Father

The Confidence In The Father

My son knows that whenever I say "Yes" to something he asks, I will do it. If I say, "No", I don't do it. So whenever he requests something, he always hopes that I will say "Yes", since I have to keep my promise regardlessly. Whatever I promise, I have to fulfill it. My son is confident of this.

So if I say, "Yes", he knows that it's a promise. And he will eagerly wait for the fulfilment of that promise, even if that toy (for example) takes a while to arrive into his hands.

1 John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the Confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests we have asked of Him."

Some believers think that God decides if He wants to hear us when we pray. What if I told you that He has already decided and you can have the confidence to ask and receive?

Unlike human fathers who might say Yes or No, God always says "Yes" if what you ask is according to His will. All of God's promises are "Yes" in Christ (2 Cor 1:20). So if you ask according to His promises, you are asking according to His will, and the answer is always "Yes". You don't have to second guess it.

Mark 11:24 says that 'whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.'

If my son keeps asking me (that is praying) for something, it means that he has no confidence that I would fulfill my promise. That would break my heart as a father. It means that my nature is put into question.

Praying is not the key to receive the fulfilment of His answer. Confidence is. You don't get what you pray. You get what you believe.

When you come to God for something that He has already promised in Christ (through all His finished works), the answer is already predetermined ------- a resounding "YES!!!" 

You can have the confidence that the request is already granted. You just wait in expectancy to receive the fulfillment (manifestation) of the answer.

The Fear of Daddy

While my wife and I were running some errands during his karate class, his friend asked him, “Would you like to play my Nintendo switch during break time?”

His classic reply —- “No. Because if I play it, my Daddy can see it, because God lives in him.”

Then he proceeded to share about God with his friend who is a free thinker.

There are many ways to evangelise. One of them is the fear of Daddy 😂😂😂

Homeschooling Reflection

In one of his homeschooling reflections on Responsibility, he wrote this on his own.

May he do what he wrote. #homeschooling