Worship

Worship versus Praise

Every believer at times will be involved in the two. As believers it is in our hearts and spirits to do so.

While both can exist at the same time, yet there are differences. There are several verses that back this up but rather than to list them all here right now, I want to just put these two, praise and worship, in every day mountain language terms. Though certainly not the best examples of doing so but in some sense a comparison.

First concerning “Praise.” We can use a vehicle to do this, We are all familiar with this capability. Most vehicles today will have a cruise control.

While going down the Interstate, we can set the cruise control. The vehicle will then maintain “Speed” to a relative constant and hold it to some degree. While at the same time, we, the driver will need to steer and also at times put on the brakes.

But now when we move into “Worship,” things become somewhat different and everything moves into a higher plane so to speak.

So now let’s move this from “Praise” mode and get it off the ground from driving down the Interstate in our vehicle.

We now move to a different form of transportation and to a different location which is no longer on the grounds of “Praise” but lifted to a higher form of praise so to speak which we call “Worship.”

We now are in the cockpit of one of the more highly advanced Airplanes. And depending on the advanced equipped systems some have and whether they have “Full Autopilot Systems” or not. While these are continuing to advance in capabilities and not perfect, I want to use this as an example. Though not a perfect example but will I believe suffice and give us some insight into what we see.

So picking up on this thought we will continue on.

So in the cockpit of this Airplane there is something the pilot can use which is at his disposal.

It is not called cruise control which is somewhat limited but now a very much more powerful and complex control which in some planes is called “Full Auto Pilot.” With this control, the pilot can put his plane under this control, to the which the plane is taken out of his hands and put into the hands of another system, at least for awhile.

When having done this, the pilot is now at perfect “Liberty” to “Rest” and can enjoy the flight. While in the cockpit he can freely “Worship” and be at “Peace” knowing his plane is in “Good Hands” and safe. Now in the privacy of the cockpit completely taking his hands off the controls and trusting the plane in the hands of the system, he can live in the “Liberty” of someone else.

In order to have this privilege, the pilot has done something that was different than he did while on the ground driving under cruise control. While in the plane and that under “Full Auto Pilot” he had surrendered his “Will” and “His Control” into the hands of another and fully trusting the “Full Auto Pilot,” or else he would have never done this. The pilot is now operating and resting in the realm of “Faith” in another “Power” system rather than his own.

Now while in the cockpit and switched back from “Full Auto Pilot” and the plane under his control, he realizes what a privilege he has just enjoyed in being able to experience the included “Full Auto Pilot” built into and planed from the beginning in the building of the plane. He, by “Faith” and “Willing” to summit his “Will” so to speak to the built in “Full Auto Pilot” system and to enjoy being able to take time to “Rest” for a moment and enjoy the “Liberty” he has.

Children, built into the “Free” salvation given us, our Precious Lord knew we would need these times of just getting away from it all and spending time with Him in “Worship,” enjoying His “Presence.” We have this built in, “Full Auto Pilot” He intends us to use.

When my Lord was revealing this short message to me this morning I thought of our dear brother who is now in the very presence of his sweet Lord. I remember so many times with those crippled arms, and not able to stretch them out fully but nevertheless would walk the isles of our Church, and while operating on “Full Auto Pilot” and in the “Hands” of a power other than his own and in the hands of his Precious Lord, and that for a season of refreshing that comes only through the sweet Holy Spirit.

Children, we can and should all do the same. But in “Worship,” a little more is required than that of “Praise.” In worship, “Submission and Obedience” are required and that by “Faith.”

Anyone of us can and will and should “Praise” Him but due to the fact we are still somewhat under our own control.

Praise will many times lead to worship. Our Lord inhabits the praise of His people.

But in order to be in the state of true worship we must move beyond the, “our own capability.” And move into the realm of “Faith” and that in obedience, surrendered to and under “His Control,” and that at a much higher level in the heavens. This is when our Heaven we enjoy in Christ Jesus will manifest Himself on earth in the hearts of those who truly “Worship” Him in “Spirit and in Truth.”

Praise is always good and is “Comely,” but “Worship” will always set the stage for “Service.” Mary knew and understood this. She “Hath chosen the good Part.” Praise will always be good but Worship will always be better. Worship will always exalt our Lord to the highest level in our hearts and spirits.

There is liberty in Christ Jesus in worship we find no other place. The liberty we have in worship will lead us into the liberty we have to serve. The two do work together for our good and for His Glory in preparing us for and in His service.

With ever breath we draw and every heartbeat we feel, we should be so very thankful for the privilege to praise, to worship and to serve our precious Lord Jesus. This will be our privilege for all eternity after our crossing Jordan. It’s never too late to use these on this side.

Children, once we have ever been in the place where His presence is so real and His love so conquering in our hearts. We can’t go back. We won’t go back. Just nothing to go back to. This is the reason I write the things I do. It’s not the do’s and the dont’s. It is way beyond all of that. It’s being in His presence that changes hearts and lives and we “Worship” Christ Jesus like never before. In true worship His power causes us to overcome above and beyond in ways we never dreamed of. It’s so easy to surrender our hearts and lives to Him in His presence. Things we once thought so important lose priority and Christ Jesus, then living for Him becomes the one who really matters. All these “things” will fall into place where they need to be. We find we love people and especially God’s people like never before. It’s so different than the “Having” to go to church and back home and business as usual as so many seem to do until next Sunday and “Having” to go to church again. His presence creates the excitement of serving in any and every way possible. Just so much better than the norm. Peace, Liberty, Love, Joy, Freedom, Power, Life and the list goes on in His presence.

Our Lord changed hearts and lives that were in His presence while He walked on earth. It’s no different now with those who choose to be in His presence.