Praise and worship is a powerful piece in our church. The praise and worship format has become the standard practice in our local churches, and the music of praise and worship is beginning to dominate the Christian and Gospel music charts.  Many churches are bringing their worship service to a new level of excellence. All of this is wonderful and exciting.  But has the true purpose of praise and worship been lost? As Believers, we attend church in order to connect with God in a corporate setting.  (Hebrews 10:25) This meeting together is the perfect opportunity for us to receive direction about matters that affect us both individually and as the Body of Christ.  We are able to grow by further searching the things that we've learned there.  Believe it or not, praise and worship is a vital part of that exchange.

"Here in Your presence, all things are new;  Here in Your presence, everything bows before You..."

These words come from the chorus of a great worship song from New Life Worship (Hosanna! Integrity) called "Here In Your Presence".  Recently, we were singing this in my church and the lyrics hit me a little different than usual.  Yes, bowing is a form of worship and we understand that, but EVERYTHING bows before Him.  Yes, the Bible talks about how even the rocks will cry out if we don't praise Him.  Even beyond His creation bowing before Him... EVERYTHING bows before Him.

In 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 we read:

"In unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, 'He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,' then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God."