To Praise Him

It's been an observation of mine to see those in church praising and giving glory to God in a light that I have never encompassed before. I grew up in a Baptist setting, whether it was in a non-denominational church or an actual Baptist church, where you don't raise your hand in praise and don't you dare think about dancing either. In a sense, I can understand that some will abuse the privilege and begin to have the focus on themselves. But this causes a great alarm in the church when the fact of the matter is, worship is only a fifteen minute expose of words and music. Too often, we find ourselves simply singing a song and not really taking a full knowledge of what the song means. I enjoy a good praise and worship session like the guy next to me but there is a time when there is praise and then there is worship. To praise is "the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation." But to worship is "reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage." The difference is merely in the delivery and in the heart. Sure, we can give God praise for all that He has done for us, but do we give Him honor and glory? When we raise our hand in "praise", is it to show God honor and glory or is it to show that we are in worship to those who are around us. We serve a God that inhabits the praises of His people. We serve a God that in heaven has angels circling around Him singing, "Holy! Holy! Holy is the Lord God Almighty! Who was! And Is! And Is to Come! The saints are throwing their crowns down and they are worshiping the Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are not merely singing Amazing Grace. They are shouting and singing at the top of their lungs. They don't care about tune or vocals. They don't care if Michael is in the back shaking his head in disgust. They are woshiping. What are you doing in your time with God? Are you merely mouthing the words to seem religious enough to get into the club but not too exuberant for fear of rejection? I know I still struggle with this in my life and this message is as much for me as it is for you.