J D Canter E Books

Goals are like a compass—they give your life direction. Without them, it’s easy to drift through each day, reacting to life instead of reaching for something greater.

But here’s the truth: Goals without action are just wishes.

It’s not enough to dream big—you’ve got to plan, commit, and move. Whether your goal is physical, spiritual, financial, or personal, progress happens step by step, day by day. Consistency beats intensity every time.

Don’t be afraid to start small. A small goal achieved builds momentum for bigger ones ahead. And don’t get discouraged by setbacks—they’re just part of the journey.

Philippians 3:14 says:

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

That word “press” means there’s effort involved. Reaching your goals might not be easy, but it will be worth it.

So today, revisit your goals. Are they clear? Are they meaningful? Are they yours—not someone else’s expectations?

Now take one step toward them. Just one. And tomorrow, take another.

Because the dream only becomes reality when it meets daily discipline.

Proverbs 6:16-19.

These six things doth the LORD hate:
yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies,
and he that soweth discord among brethren.

8/8–Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Quote:

Noah didn’t stop building the ark to explain himself to every doubter & hater.

KEEP BUILDING and let the RAIN DO the TALKING!

Story:

President Lincoln had an early political rival named Edwin Stanton. He called Lincoln the original gorilla. 

When Lincoln was elected President he chose Stanton to be his secretary of war because he believed he was the best man for the job. 

At Lincoln’s funeral Stanton said, “There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen.”

President Lincoln had learned not to take insults personally.

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Scripture:

Philippians 2:3-4

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.=

Humor:

8/8– Can You Spare A Minute?

A young man with a very bad temper received about a thousand nails from his father. The father told his son that every time he felt rage, he should take a deep breath and hammer a nail into the fence.

On the first day, the boy pushed 39 nails into the fence. The following days, he pushed about 30 nails each time. And as the days went by, he realized punching through the fence took time and effort. 

Because he didn’t want to keep doing this anymore, the young man strategized. He decided to do his best to control his temper. So day after day, the number of nails he had to hammer slowly decreased.

Not long after, the day came when he didn’t get an urge to use any nails. That moment, it dawned on him that he can already control his temper. With this exciting news, he rushed to his father. His father was proud of him. 

Then the father took the young man to see the fence where the nails were hammered. And he left him with an important lesson:

It’s important to control your temper and find a solution to make it go away. Like the nails you hammered into the fence, your anger will always be there. And the more frequently you get angry, the more scars you leave.”

Success doesn’t often come to those who wait—it comes to those who prepare.

Being prepared is more than just a good habit—it’s a mindset. It’s living today with tomorrow in mind. It’s understanding that opportunities don’t come with a warning label. The doors you’ve been praying to open might swing wide at any moment, and the real question is: Will you be ready to walk through them?

Think of the story of the five wise and five foolish virgins in Matthew 25. The wise ones brought extra oil for their lamps. They were ready when the bridegroom came. The foolish ones? They were scrambling, unprepared, and missed out on the celebration. The difference wasn’t intelligence or intention—it was preparation.

Preparation builds confidence. It keeps you calm when chaos hits. It gives you peace when life throws a curveball. Whether it’s your spiritual walk, your career, your relationships, or your health—getting prepared is a gift you give your future self.

Want a better job? Prepare your resume and sharpen your skills.

Want deeper faith? Start building your prayer life now.

Want to impact others? Start serving where you are.

As the saying goes, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” Don’t wait for the storm to learn how to build a shelter. Start now. Today is not just another day—it’s a chance to get prepared for the breakthrough you’ve been hoping for.

Be ready. Stay ready. Walk boldly into your tomorrow.

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Quote of the Day:

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin

Let August 8 be your wake-up call: Preparation is not a pause—it’s progress.

2 Cor 4 :3-6. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

8/7–Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Quote:

Of all the money we spend, it’s free to be kind. 

Story:

Imagine you had a bank account that deposited $86,400 each morning. The account carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every dollar each day!

We all have such a bank. Its name is Time. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever time you have failed to use wisely. It carries over no balance from day to day. It allows no overdraft so you can’t borrow against yourself or use more time than you have. Each day, the account starts fresh. Each night, it destroys an unused time. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, it’s your loss and you can’t appeal to get it back.

There is never any borrowing time. You can’t take a loan out on your time or against someone else’s. The time you have is the time you have and that is that. Time management is yours to decide how you spend the time, just as with money you decide how you spend the money. It is never the case of us not having enough time to do things, but the case of whether we want to do them and where they fall in our priorities.

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Building Take Skill, Tearing Down None https://www.amazon.com/dp/1521429154/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZY4CQ58NDERAXSD4A140

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Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 9:10-11

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Humor:

Just spell Czechoslovakia

A small boy filled with all kinds of playful ideas anxiously awaited his father’s return from work. An extra-long day at the office, however, had taken its toll, and his father longed for a few minutes of relaxation. 

Over and over again the boy tugged at his dad’s leg with yet another suggestion of something they might do together. 

Well, finally in total frustration the father ripped from a magazine a picture of the world and tore it into a hundred pieces. “Here,” he said handing the child a roll of scotch tape, “go and put the world back together.” Ah, peace at last, or so he thought. 

But, in just a few minutes, he was interrupted again, there before him stood his son-and in hands was a crudely fashioned picture of the world. “Son, that’s incredible. How did you do it?” “It was easy,” said the boy, “you see on the other side of the picture of the world was the picture of a man, and as soon as I got man straightened out the world came together.” What a profound answer from a child! 

How true! Get man fixed and the world will be okay.

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Forgiveness is not just a gift you give to others—it’s a gift you give to yourself.

Holding on to anger or resentment is like carrying a backpack filled with rocks. Every step becomes heavier. Every day feels more draining. But when you choose to forgive, you lighten your load. You reclaim your peace.

Forgiving doesn’t mean you forget the hurt or excuse the offense. It means you are choosing not to be chained to it. It means you’re strong enough to rise above it and say, “This will not define me.”

Some of the most powerful people are not those who hold grudges, but those who let go. Forgiveness doesn’t make you weak—it makes you wise. It doesn’t make you a doormat—it makes you free.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14, “For if you forgive other people when they trespass against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” That’s not just a command—it’s a lifeline. When you open your heart to forgive, you make space for healing, joy, and growth.

Today, ask yourself: Who do I need to forgive? Maybe it’s someone else. Maybe it’s yourself. Either way, take the first step. Let go. Breathe. Move forward.

Because forgiving doesn’t change the past—but it sure changes the future.

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” – Proverbs 23:7

Your thoughts are the steering wheel of your life. Where your mind goes, your life will follow. If you constantly dwell on what’s wrong, what’s missing, or what might fail, you will live in fear, frustration, and defeat. But if you train your mind to focus on truth, faith, possibilities, and God’s promises—you open the door to joy, strength, and victory.

The battle isn’t out there. It starts in your head.

Why Right Thinking Matters:

Your thoughts shape your words, and your words shape your world. Negative thoughts drain your energy, blur your focus, and kill your momentum. Right thoughts build confidence, create peace, and attract purpose.

You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind.

3 Ways to Think the Right Thoughts:

Guard the Gate. Not every thought deserves your attention. Just because it knocks doesn’t mean you have to let it in. Worry, doubt, and bitterness want to move in and rent space in your mind for free. Kick them out. Don’t let junk take up sacred space. Feed Your Faith. Read uplifting Scripture. Listen to messages that build you up. Surround yourself with people who speak life, not fear. Fill your mind with God’s truth, and lies won’t have room to grow. Speak What You Seek. Your mind listens to your mouth. Start saying things like, “I am growing,” “I am learning,” “I’m going to make it,” and “God is with me.” You’ll be surprised how your attitude shifts when your confession lines up with truth.

A Final Thought:

You can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair. Likewise, you can’t stop every bad thought from showing up, but you can choose what stays. So today, choose to think the right thoughts.

Because when you think right, you live right. 💡