Difference

So a good friend of mine was teaching me today about the difference between praise and worship.

I have never really thought about this concept and since im in a place of leading people in worshiping the Lord its an awesome topic.

So praise is pretty simple really...

Speaking my heart of thankfulness and recognition for what Jesus has done for me and who God is, basically saying your so great God, You are worth everything to me -Example of praise

Worship is more difficult I have discovered to explain.

So an example that comes to mind is when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were told to bow before King Nebuchadnezzar and they refused. Worship was an act that they would not perform outwardly and inwardly because if they bowed down before the king it was like their hearts belonged to the king. When we worship Jesus, we choose to give our lives to him, worship is everything we do for Jesus, its the way we live our lives. Now praise is a huge part of worship but there is something that happens in our hearts when we choose to actually worship it, there is a bond formed that is deep and strong.

It takes almost no time and energy to praise something, but it is important and is a bi product of worship sometimes. Now something that is common in church in America I have seen is people are eager to praise the Lord audibly because honestly its easy to do to say some words but to worship it takes sacrifice... something many Americas are not willing to do or actually people in general.

It is never easy to sacrifice anything that's why worship to the Lord is so pleasing to Him because we are literally saying God I choose to give up my time, my energy, my routine, my way of life to live for You and to praise You. The Lord loves it when we choose Him over other things because He is a jealous God and craves our attention.

Because He loves us soooo much He loves it when we choose to look past distraction and look to Him.

Worship is a time when we literally say "not me Lord but You"

Thinking about praise, it is easy to praise someone now a days and not even like them, I could give praise to someone who I have never met but I saw them do something great and maybe I dont even like them very much after all but I still choose to compliment them in a praising way. That is not worship because worship is over whelming and a lifestyle. Im not going to go to that person and start sacrificing my time, maybe finances, possibly give up things I love in this life (like my Xbox.... I gotta stop playing that stupid thing) for a person I am not captivated with. God wants us to only worship Him and He is right!

I am not going to worship any man on this earth because only my King Jesus deserves it, He has given me everlasting life and will never leave me or fail me. Why on earth would I choose to worship someone on this earth who I know will fail me.

I praise the Lord because He has made everything and honestly Hes the only thing that deserves praise, I worship Him because He is my life.