At The Dinner Table

02/25/21 • 18 min

The dinner table is a very special place in the Robertson household. It’s a place of warm food, meaningful conversations, and a time of prayer. It is part of my day that I can unwind with those I love, and I truly look forward to it. But I often think about what the dinner table looks like through the eyes of the average American home.

A study by New York University Langone Health found that, in the past 20 years, the frequency of family dinners has declined by 33%.
In addition, a recent poll by YouGov found that 62% of parents with children under 18 wish they had family dinners “much more often” or “somewhat more often.

The fast-paced American culture has often shoved aside family priorities and thrown away any sense of meaningful and healthy conversation. The table has become a decorative household item versus a wholesome desk of fellowship and support. I think that the benefits of being together at the dinner table far outweigh some of the “inconveniences.”

According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, children who share family dinners three or more times per week:

Are less likely to be overweight
Are more likely to eat healthy food
Perform better academically
Are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)
Have better relationships with their parents

There are tremendous benefits in prioritizing the family table. Have you noticed that Jesus had special moments with His disciples at the table? It was in the last hours of His life that He chose the table in the upper room to commune with His followers and share His heart with them. It was there that He broke the bread and commanded, “this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

Jesus invites you to pull up a chair at His table. He wants your fellowship and longs to give you the nourishment that you need for your journey. We have been talking in the Back To Basics series about our alone time with God. We looked at how to make the most of our devotions and how to dwell in the secret place and how to keep the door of fellowship open to Christ.

Imagine that! Jesus Christ at your table! What a thought the King of Kings wishes to be my honored guest. It has the idea that Jesus sits down at our table and lets us be the host. We spread the table and pour out our hearts to Him--praise, thanksgiving, honor, and petitions.

But then, it gets even better. He says, “...and he with me.” This holds the idea that the roles are switched. I am no longer the host, but the guest. He is the host. He is the one that spreads the table. He spills out His heart to us.

God gifts us with His heart in written form. His Word bears the truth of His character and leads us to a place of repentance.

But I think we often hav

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A study by New York University Langone Health found that, in the past 20 years, the frequency of family dinners has declined by 33%.
In addition, a recent poll by YouGov found that 62% of parents with children under 18 wish they had family dinners “much more often” or “somewhat more often.

According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, children who share family dinners three or more times per week:

Are less likely to be overweight
Are more likely to eat healthy food
Perform better academically
Are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)
Have better relationships with their parents

God gifts us with His heart in written form. His Word bears the truth of His character and leads us to a place of repentance.

But I think we often hav

Support the show

Previous Episode

How's Your (Heart) Posture?

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Believe it or not, poor posture does affect your health. It can lead to neck and back problems if not corrected. Whether you sit at a desk all day, or browse your smartphone on the couch, it is often hard to remember to straighten up during the day. My wife will often give me a stern elbow while sitting in church, and that’s just a little “loving” reminder to sit up nice and tall, and put those shoulders back. Like a good husband--I usually listen.

Although I am truly convinced of the importance of healthy living and taking care of our “temple,” I am often reminded that God’s work is very much inward. It’s the shaping of my heart into the image of Christ that brings on great transformation and spiritual health. Romans 8:29.

We often tend to put a lot of emphasis on physical posture and health, but what about your heart? How is your heart’s posture toward the things of God? Is it upright and open to Him and His Word? Or is it slouching into apathy and coldness towards His will and purpose for your life?

There is no better “loving reminder” to straighten up our heart’s health then the Word of God. It is our nudge to keep our hearts open and right with Jesus throughout the day. Here are three ways to help with your heart’s posture as you go about today:

1. Keep short accounts with God.

Sin will make you slouch. There is is doubt about it. Sin destroys your spiritual health and contaminates any good thing God tries to place into your life. One of the greatest lessons that I learned at a young age, was to keep short accounts with God--keep my sins confessed. I John 1:9.

How soon should you confess your sins to God? ASAP. Don’t let much time pass before your get that specific sin confessed to God. The longer you wait the more your heart will get used to the comfort of slouching--but the implications are detrimental.

Confront your sin - get honest about it
Confess your sin - literally means to say the same thing as God. (Call it what it is--God already knows
· Continue - Don’t let guilt of the past paralyze you from God’s blessings for the future

2. Consult Christ in every decision--BIG or small

This may seem elementary but it’s so vitally important. We often clock-in at our jobs and work our busy schedules without much thought of Christ. Sure we may start our day in His Word, but then we put on our “work hat” and keep our spiritual lives out of our secular lives. Jesus wishes for us to Keep the Door Open to Him all day long.Proverbs 3:5-6.

Many times, we do not acknowledge Him in our decisions because we do not trust that He will make the right one. Let him direct your paths, big or small. Even if it’s on what you are deciding to wear that day. Let Him lead your heart.

3. Be quick to thank Him for the little things

Nothing accelerates your heart’s health like giving praise and thanks to God! It is an attitude that energizes your mind and gives you the support that you t

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Next Episode

What Are Your Prayer Prompters?

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We all need some extra "promptings" now and then don't we? We forget about an important meeting; we buy things we already have but can't find; or we forget about our anniversary. Yea, not good!
That's why in a world of distraction we need some reminders from time to time. Some things that will help us move toward the actions and mind of Christ.
About a year ago I had a preacher friend of mind teach me the value of prayer prompters—looking for visual reminders to help prompt me to pray. He challenged me whenever I see 333 remember Jeremiah 33:3 where God invites Jeremiah to call unto Him.

Look on gas station sign, license plates, credit card numbers etc. Wherever you are, stop what you are doing pray.

Since that time I have started to look for other things that prompt me to pray:

Prayer lists are probably the most common prayer prompters, but get creative! Put sticky notes on you mirror or write on the shower walls with a dry-erase marker.
Wedding invitations—pray for the couple getting married. Pray Gods protection over their purity and that the Lord would have His way in the home.
Christmas cards—pray for the family every time you go the fridge. (And if you like to eat like me then your prayer life will certainly grow.
When you see a certain type of car on the road that someone you know drives, pray for that friend.
When you buy a gift for a friend, pray as you wrap it or place it in the gift bag.
When you see an ambulance or fire truck heading to the scene of an accident, pray for the ones involved.

Of course, I don’t do all of these all the time but they certainly are great reminders to keep the conversation going with Jesus throughout my day. I think so often our prayer life consists within the boundaries of self-betterment and gain. Our prayers can be so shallow can’t they?
“Lord give us a good day today.”

“Lord bless us today and watch over us.”

“Lord, meet our needs today.”

These are all great things but specificity gives God the opportunity to be specific in His answer. And instead of always praying for personal things, I’ve learned that sometimes the greatest moves of God in my life are when I am interceding for someone else. I stop what I am doing to reach heaven about something specific in someone else’s life.

Intercessory prayer is a lost privilege to the Christian whose world revolves his own needs.

What are your prayer prompters? How can you intercede more often for others?

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